A luminescent cyclometalated gold(iii)-avidin conjugate with a long-lived emissive excited state that binds to proteins and DNA and possesses anti-proliferation capacity.

Abstract

Here we describe a luminescent cyclometalated Au(iii)-avidin conjugate that exhibits a 520 nm emission with a lifetime of 1.8 μs in PBS solution in open air. The conjugate stains proteins and DNA and can inhibit cancer cell proliferation.