Gallium Phthalocyanine Research Articles

Hybrid Sono-Photodynamic Combination Therapy Mediated by Water-Soluble Gallium Phthalocyanine Enhances the Cytotoxic Effect against Breast Cancer Cell Lines.

Breast cancer is a life-threatening disease that is gaining increasing importance due to its rising incidence, highlighting the need for novel treatment methods with the least disadvantages. Recently, scientists have focused on developing therapeutic treatment modalities for effective cancer treatment. In contrast to conventional cancer treatment methods such as immunotherapy, surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is gaining prominence. Besides, sonodynamic treatment (SDT) is a noninvasive therapeutic approach that uses ultrasound to induce high tissue penetration. In both methods, sensitizers are activated to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species such as •OH and 1O2. In particular, the combined use of hybrid and complementary treatment methods has become an important modality in cancer treatment in recent years. Sono-photodynamic therapy (SPDT), which is an important method applied in combination with PDT and SDT, has started to be preferred in terms of reducing potential side effects compared to monotherapy. One of the most important types of sensitizers used in PDT and SDT is known as phthalocyanines (Pcs). Motivated by these facts, this research presents the sono-photochemical, in vitro cytotoxicity, and theoretical evaluation of water-soluble gallium phthalocyanine (GaPc). The results indicate that the quantum yield of the generation of singlet oxygen increased in sono-photochemical studies (ΦΔ = 0.94), compared to photochemical studies (ΦΔ = 0.72). In vitro analyses revealed that GaPc did not exhibit significant cytotoxic effects at the specified varying concentration doses (1-20 μM). Furthermore, GaPc-mediated SPDT triggered cell death by inducing reactive oxygen species formation in the breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). The interaction mechanism of the GaPc with EGFR and VEGFR2 target proteins, which are critical regulators of metastasis, proliferation, and angiogenesis, was investigated by molecular docking simulation. GaPc has effective binding affinities against target proteins, and this affinity was found to be the highest against VEGFR2. Molecular docking results showed a good correlation with the obtained biological results. Eventually, this molecular building of the efficient water-soluble phthalocyanine-based sensitizer is a potential therapeutic for PDT, SDT, and SPDT applications.

Development of cationic gallium phthalocyanine catalysts for the chemistry of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes and its reactions with aldehydes

Cationic gallium phthalocyanine (RPcGa+) catalysts with SbF6– and Sb2F11–/Sb3F16– weakly coordinating anions were developed and used in the catalytic chemistry of donor-acceptor (D–A) cyclopropanes and related substrates. For the first time, these processes were implemented on the examples of [3 + 2]-cycloaddition/annulation reactions of D–A cyclopropanes and styrylmalonates with various aldehydes, as well as some other transformations with different substrates.

Photophysical and photochemical studies on non-peripherally and peripherally Ga(III) chloro phthalocyanines in different solvents

Phthalocyanine compounds display strong absorbance during their interaction with light thanks to the delocalized π bonds. In recent years, the studies have been carried out to use phthalocyanine compounds, which are sensitive to light, as photosensitizers in the singlet oxygen production.In present work, two different phthalonitrile derivatives were separately obtained as a result of the reaction of 3-nitrophthalonitrile and 4-nitrophthalonitrile compounds with 2-hydroxymethyl-1,4-benzodioxane. As a result of the reaction of these phthalonitrile derivatives with gallium(III) metal ion, non-peripherally and peripherally 2-hydroxymethyl-1,4-benzodioxane substituted gallium(III) phthalocyanines (3-GaPc and 4-GaPc) were separately obtained. The synthesis of the compounds was performed by conventional methods and the characterization processes were carried out using ultraviolet and visible light (UV–vis) absorption spectroscopy, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR ) spectroscopy and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectroscopy (MALDI TOF MS) methods. Photophysical, photochemical and aggregation properties of two gallium(III) phthalocyanine compounds were investigated in different solvents such as dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), tetrahydrofuran (THF) and toluene solvents for their usability in singlet oxygen generation. Solvents have an effect on the results. The result show that these compound display good solubility and suitable singlet oxygen generation properties in the mentioned solvents.

Collagen Hydrolysate Effects on Photodynamic Efficiency of Gallium (III) Phthalocyanine on Pigmented Melanoma Cells.

The conjugation of photosensitizer with collagen seems to be a very promising approach for innovative topical photodynamic therapy (PDT). The study aims to evaluate the effects of bovine collagen hydrolysate (Clg) on the properties of gallium (III) phthalocyanine (GaPc) on pigmented melanoma. The interaction of GaPc with Clg to form a conjugate (GaPc-Clg) showed a reduction of the intensive absorption Q-band (681 nm) with a blue shift of the maximum (678 nm) and a loss of shape of the UV-band (354 nm). The fluorescence of GaPc, with a strong emission peak at 694 nm was blue shifted due to the conjugation which lower intensity owing to reduce quantum yield (0.012 vs. 0.23, GaPc). The photo- and dark cytotoxicity of GaPc, Glg and GaPc-Clg on pigmented melanoma cells (SH-4) and two normal cell lines (BJ and HaCaT) showed a slight decrease of cytotoxicity for a conjugate, with low selectivity index (0.71 vs. 1.49 for GaPc). The present study suggests that the ability of collagen hydrolysate to form gels minimizes the high dark toxicity of GaPc. Collagen used for conjugation of a photosensitizer might be an essential step in advanced topical PDT.

Bio-inspired surface modification of MoS2 nanosheets with gallium phthalocyanine for brain-like synaptic memristors

Inspired by mussel chemistry, MoS2 nanosheets coated with polydopamine were covalently functionalized with gallium phthalocyanine. Biological synaptic functions and associative learning processes were successfully simulated by using memristors.

The impact of radiation on the morphological, structural properties, linear and nonlinear optical parameters of gallium phthalocyanine chloride thin films for optoelectronic devices

The effects of various doses of gamma rays (GR) in the range of 1–10 kGy on thermally evaporated gallium phthalocyanine chloride (GaPcCl) thin films were investigated in this work. According to the results, GR has a significant influence on the structural and optical characteristics of GaPcCl thin films. The structure of GR was examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). After 10 KGy irradiation, the optical band gap shrank from 1.98 eV to 1.60 eV. The irradiation has a great impact on optical characteristics such as the refractive index n, absorption coefficient (α), Conductivity (Optical, σOpt and Electrical, σElect.), and complex dielectric constant (ϵ). The ratio of carrier concentration to effective mass N/m*, lattice (ϵL), infinity (ϵ∞) dielectric constants, oscillator energy (Eo) and dispersion energy Ed were all analyzed as dispersion parameters. The optical moments (M-3 and M-1) were computed and observed to reduce with irradiation at suggested doses. Also, some of nonlinear optical parameters such as third order nonlinear susceptibility (χ(3)) were determined.

Designer Heme Proteins: Achieving Novel Function with Abiological Heme Analogues.

Heme proteins have proven to be a convenient platform for the development of designer proteins with novel functionalities. This is achieved by substituting the native iron porphyrin cofactor with a heme analogue that possesses the desired properties. Replacing the iron center of the porphyrin with another metal provides one inroad to novel protein function. A less explored approach is substitution of the porphyrin cofactor with an alternative tetrapyrrole macrocycle or a related ligand. In general, these ligands exhibit chemical properties and reactivity that are distinct from those of porphyrins. While these techniques have most prominently been utilized to develop artificial metalloenzymes, there are many other applications of this methodology to problems in biochemistry, health, and medicine. Incorporation of synthetic cofactors into protein environments represents a facile way to impart water solubility and biocompatibility. It circumvents the laborious synthesis of water-soluble cofactors, which often introduces substantial charge that leads to undesired bioaccumulation. To this end, the incorporation of unnatural cofactors in heme proteins has enabled the development of designer proteins as optical oxygen sensors, MRI contrast agents, spectroscopic probes, tools to interrogate protein function, antibiotics, and fluorescent proteins.Incorporation of an artificial cofactor is frequently accomplished by denaturing the holoprotein with removal of the heme; the refolded apoprotein is then reconstituted with the artificial cofactor. This process often results in substantial protein loss and does not necessarily guarantee that the refolded protein adopts the native structure. To circumvent these issues, our laboratory has pioneered the use of the RP523 strain of E. coli to incorporate artificial cofactors into heme proteins using expression-based methods. This strain lacks the ability to biosynthesize heme, and the bacterial cell wall is permeable to heme and related molecules. In this way, heme analogues supplemented in the growth medium are incorporated into heme proteins. This approach can also be leveraged for the direct expression of the apoprotein for subsequent reconstitution.These methodologies have been exploited to incorporate non-native cofactors into heme proteins that are resistant to harsh environmental conditions: the heme nitric oxide/oxygen binding protein (H-NOX) from Caldanaerobacter subterraneus (Cs) and the heme acquisition system protein A (HasA) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa). The exceptional stability of these proteins makes them ideal scaffolds for biomedical applications. Optical oxygen sensing has been accomplished using a phosphorescent ruthenium porphyrin as the artificial heme cofactor. Paramagnetic manganese and gadolinium porphyrins yield high-relaxivity, protein-based MRI contrast agents. A fluorescent phosphorus corrole serves as a heme analogue to produce fluorescent proteins. Iron complexes of nonporphyrin cofactors bound to HasA inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Moreover, HasA can deliver a gallium phthalocyanine into the bacterial cytosol to serve as a sensitizer for photochemical sterilization. Together, these examples illustrate the potential for designer heme proteins to address burgeoning problems in the areas of health and medicine. The concepts and methodologies presented in this Account can be extended to the development of next-generation biomedical sensing and imaging agents to identify and quantify clinically relevant metabolites and other key disease biomarkers.

Interaction of water soluble cationic gallium(III) phthalocyanines with different G-quadruplex DNAs

Small molecule-G-quadruplex DNA interaction has been gained considerable interest due to existence of G-quadruplex structures in telomeres and promotor regions of proto-oncogenes. In the present study, the interaction of 2(3), 9(10), 16(17), 23(24)-tetrakis-[(N-methyl-3-pyridyloxy)phthalocyaninato]chloro gallium (III) sulphate (TGaPc) and 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24-octakis-[(N-methyl-3-pyridyloxy) phthalocyaninato]chloro gallium (III) sulphate (OGaPc) with different DNA forms (ctDNA and G-quadruplex DNAs) was investigated. The interactions of compounds with DNA was extensively investigated by different methods, such as capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE) integrated with a high sensitivity LED-induced fluorescence detector, UV–Vis and circular dichroism spectroscopy, competitive dialysis experiments. UV–Vis. titrations and CGE studies showed that the two phthalocyanine compounds interacted with the G-quadruplex and ctDNA, but the binding affinity of TGaPc was high for AS1411. Dialysis experiments also supported the higher affinity of TGaPc to AS1411. CD studies showed that both TGaPc and OGaPc caused destabilization of Tel21 structure even at low concentrations. This was more or less observed in other G-quadruplex DNAs other than AS1411. The structure of AS1411 remained intact at binding stoichiometric ratios. The viscosimetric studies and gel electrophoresis studies have been used to explore the interaction of TGaPc and OGaPc with ctDNA. The viscosity experiments along with gel electrophoresis confirmed the intercalation binding for ctDNA with OGaPc and groove binding for TGaPc. All results show that these molecules interact with different DNA types at different strengths and different mechanisms and the binding affinity of TGaPc was high for AS1411. Therefore, these compounds have the potential for cancer treatment.

Investigation of Binding behaviour of a water-soluble gallium (III) phthalocyanine with double-stranded and G-quadruplex DNA via experimental and computational methods

DNA is an important target for the development of chemotherapeutic drug design due to increased and uncontrolled cell proliferation of cancer cells. In the present study, the affinity of water-soluble gallium(III) phthalocyanine chloride (GaPc) non-peripherally substituted with 2-mercapto-N-methylpyridinium groups to different types of DNA (double-stranded ctDNA and G-quadruplex DNA) was investigated. The interaction mechanisms were evaluated by UV-Vis, fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopic techniques, competitive dialysis assay, and capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE) system integrated with a high sensitivity LED-induced fluorescence (LIF) detector. Binding mode studies were carried out by molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations. The experimental binding constants were determined as 1.9 × 106 M−1, 1.1 × 106 M−1, 8.5 × 105 M−1, 2.9 × 104 M−1 for c-MYC, AS1411, Tel21, and ctDNA, respectively. Competitive binding assay confirmed the higher affinity towards G-quadruplex structure rather than ctDNA. The GaPc-G-quadruplex DNA conjugates showed higher Kb constants and a strong absorption band closer to NIR window which is a desired feature for the photodynamic therapy applications. Besides, experimental data show that the formation of GaPc-G-quadruplex DNA conjugates reduced the aggregation of GaPc. Reduction of aggregation of phthalocyanine is important. Because aggregation decreases the photoactivity of most photosensitizers. The experimental results suggested that both intercalative and non‑intercalative binding contributions occurred in the case of double-stranded ctDNA. Confirming experiments, molecular docking studies showed that the GaPc can bind from two different major groove regions in double-stranded DNA while only one binding mode was observed in the G-quadruplex DNA. Both experimental and computational studies suggested that the conformational change and unfolding mechanism in G-quadruplex DNA structure were determined upon interaction with GaPc.

Cation-Induced Dimerization of Crown-Substituted Gallium Phthalocyanine by Complexing with Alkali Metals: The Crucial Role of a Central Metal.

The single-crystal X-ray diffraction characterization of cation-induced supramolecular assembly of the gallium(III) tetra(15-crown-5)phthalocyaninate [(HO)Ga(15C5)4Pc] (1Ga) is reported. The structures of two crystalline dimers, {[(1Ga)2Rb4]4+(iNic-)4}·10CDCl3 and {[(2Ga)2Rb4]4+(OH-)2(Piv-)2}·16CDCl3 (2Ga-[(Piv)Ga(15C5)4Pc]), as well as UV-vis and NMR studies of the soluble supramolecular dimers formed by 1Ga and K+, Rb+, and Cs+ salts are provided. In contrast to the previously reported aluminum complex where the Al-O-Al bond was formed, no μ-oxo bridge was observed between the gallium atoms in the supramolecular dimers under similar conditions, despite the fact that aluminum and gallium belong to the same group of the periodic table. The detailed investigation of the cation-induced dimers of 1Ga confirms the uniformity of their structure for all large alkali cations, where two molecules of crown-substituted gallium phthalocyaninate are 4-fold bound by K+, Rb+, or Cs+. The gallium(III) coordination sphere is labile, and the nature of the solvent during supramolecular dimerization has an effect on the axial ligand exchange: Piv- in nonpolar CHCl3 replaces the initial OH- in 1Ga, while such a process is not observed in CHCl3/CH3OH media.

Structure and properties of radical anion and dianion salts of organic dye trans-perinone and its mixed salt with gallium(iii) phthalocyanine

Reduction of organic dye trans-perinone in different experimental conditions was studied. New crystallite salts containing reduced species of trans-perinone together with mixed salt with GaIIIClPc radical anions were obtained and characterized.

Evaluation of carbonic anhydrase and paraoxonase inhibition activities and molecular docking studies of highly water-soluble sulfonated phthalocyanines.

The investigation of carbonic anhydrase and paraoxonase enzyme inhibition properties of water-soluble zinc and gallium phthalocyanine complexes ( 1 and 2 ) are reported for the first time. The binding of p-sulfonylphenoxy moieties to the phthalocyanine structure favors excellent solubilities in water, as well as providing an inhibition effect on carbonic anhydrase (CA) I and II isoenzymes and paraoxonase (PON1) enzyme. According to biological activity results, both complexes inhibited hCA I, hCA II, and PON1. Whereas 1 and 2 showed moderate hCA I and hCA II (off-target cytosolic isoforms) inhibitory activity (Ki values of 26.09 µM and 43.11 µM for hCA I and 30.95 µM and 33.19 µM for hCA II, respectively), they exhibited strong PON1 (associated with high-density lipoprotein [HDL]) inhibitory activity (Ki values of 0.37 µM and 0.27 µM, respectively). The inhibition kinetics were analyzed by Lineweaver–Burk double reciprocal plots. It revealed that 1 and 2 were noncompetitive inhibitors against PON1, hCA I, and hCA II. These complexes can be more advantageous than other synthetic CA and PON inhibitors due to their water solubility. Docking studies were carried out to examine the interactions between hCA I, hCA II, and PON1 inhibitors and metal complexes at a molecular level and to predict binding energies.

Noncrystalline films of gallium (III) phthalocyanine chloride evaporated on a flexible polymer substrate for flexible organic technology: optical spectroscopy and optical limiting

Thin films of thermally evaporated gallium-phthalocyanine dichloride (GaPcCl) on a flexible polymer substrate have been studied. Structural as well as spectral optical properties of these films were investigated at a different film thickness of 45, 75, 100, and 150 nm. The structure of GaPcCl/polymer is found to be amorphous with a broad hump that is characterized by the polymer sheet. The absorption spectra recorded in the UV–vis region for these films showed two absorption bands, namely the Q- and B-bands. The absorption coefficient of the films has shown three indirect allowed transitions with energy gaps, which slightly changed with the effect of the thickness. The dispersion curve of the refractive index and the characterizing energy loss of high energy electrons such as volume energy loss function and surface energy loss function were calculated for the present films. The response of GaPcCl/polymer with different film thicknesses is studded by two types of laser with different input power as an optical limiter. The present results show that the response of GaPcCl films is highly reliable for the laser power attenuating of the green laser at 533 nm with low power of 16.3 mW. The result of GaPcCl/polymer can be extended to the optoelectronic devices.

Synthesis of the Cationic Gallium Phthalocyanines and Their Catalytic Application in Gallium(III)-Activated Processes for Donor–Acceptor Substrates

The novel class of gallium catalysts based on cationic gallium phthalocyanines (RPcGa+) with SbF6– and Sb2F11– weakly coordinating anions was developed in order to using in the catalytic version for gallium-specific chemistry. Two cycloaddition/annulation processes of styrylmalonates with aromatic aldehydes and styrene were implemented in the catalytic version using this approach. The synthetic strategy to gallium phthalocyanines and their structural features were studied in details, including the use of specially adapted 71Ga NMR spectroscopy in combination with 19F and 121Sb ones, as well as the mechanistic aspects.

Morphological, linear and nonlinear properties of gallium phthalocyanine chloride annealed thin films

The present study investigates the structural and optical properties under thermal annealing for gallium phthalocyanine chloride film (GaPcCl). The annealing does not have any effect on the stability of the chemical structure of GaPcCl films but has a noticeable effect on the optical properties such as the refractive index n, extinction coefficient k, optical conductivity (σ1*σ2*) and the complex dielectric constant (ε1ε2). The urbach energy and optical are estimated at different thermal annealing for GaPcCl films. The values of the optical moments M-1, M-3 are calculated and found to be increase with thermal annealing at estimated temperatures for GaPcCl films. On the other hand, the third order of the non-linear susceptibility χ(3) and the non-linear refractive index n2, are calculated and found to be increase with thermal annealing. Thus, the annealing can be utilized as a tool to modify the optical properties of GaPcCl films.

Temperature Dependence of Structure, Morphology and Dielectric Characterization of Gallium Phthalocyanine Chloride Discs

The structural investigations of semiconductor gallium phthalocyanine chloride (GaPcCl) in powder form at different temperatures are presented in this paper. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to calculate the average crystallite size, D, the dislocation density, δ, micro-strain, the number of crystallites per unit surface area, Nc and average particle size and shape. Indeed, the alternating current (AC) conductivity of the GaPcCl disc was studied as a function of frequency and temperature. The activation energy, the type of conductivity mechanism, the real and imaginary parts of both the dielectric constant and complex electric modulus are determined.

Perfluorinated gallium phthalocyanine axially grafted black phosphorus nanosheets for optical limiting

Fluorine-containing gallium phthalocyanine (F16PcGa) axially grafted black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets (F16PcGa–BP) were synthesized by reaction of F16PcGaCl with 4-hydroxylbenzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate-functionalized BP (4-HBT-BP). In contrast to BP and F16PcGaCl, F16PcGa–BP exhibits better nonlinear optical and optical limiting responses at 532 nm.

Investigation of combined photodynamic and radiotherapy effects of gallium phthalocyanine chloride on MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

In this study, we evaluated the effect of gallium phthalocyanine chloride (GaPcCl) as a radio- and photosensitizer on MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. We incubated cells with GaPcCl in different concentrations (from 3.125 to 100μg/ml). Then cells in separate groups were exposed to different light doses (1.8 and 2.8J/cm2) at wavelength of 660nm and 2-Gy X-ray ionizing radiation, alone and in combination. Finally, cell survival and apoptosis were determined by MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The results showed that the deactivated GaPcCl at concentration of 100µg/ml reduces the cell viability up to 15%. While, photoactivated GaPcCl (100µg/ml) at light dose of 2.8J/cm2 significantly decreases cell viability up to 55.3%. Although MTT assay demonstrated that GaPcCl is not act as a radiosensitizer, flow cytometry showed significant increase in cell apoptosis when GaPcCl was exposed to 2Gy X-ray. Using of GaPcCl-PDT (photodynamic therapy) integration with X-ray substantially increased cell death in comparison to the absence of X-ray. Furthermore, flow cytometry displayed a significant increase in apoptosis cells (especially late apoptosis) in this combination therapy. Our result proved that GaPcCl is an effective photosensitizer in MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line. The combination of GaPcCl-PDT and radiotherapy can be an efficient treatment against cancer. This approach needs further investigations on animal models for human purposes.Graphic abstract.

PLGA-PEG nanoparticles containing gallium phthalocyanine: Preparation, optimization and analysis of its photodynamic efficiency on red blood cell and Hepa-1C1C7

Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) has been used for the encapsulation of phthalocyanine motived by its biocompatibility and biodegradability. Many studies have already been done to evaluate the influence of parameters used in the PLGA nanoparticle synthesis but without the evaluation of the combinatory interaction between these parameters on the nanoparticulate properties. Ga(III)-phthalocyanine (GaPc) was encapsulated into the PEGlated PLGA-nanoparticles and the individual and combinatory effects of the emulsification time, the method used for the nanoparticle synthesis and the temperature of the aqueous phase was evaluated on the size, entrapment efficiency, efficacy of nanoparticle recovery, residual PVA and zeta potential value using a 23 factorial design (FD). Mathematical models were adjustable to the data and evolutionary operations were performed to optimize the nanoparticle size. The ability of the optimized nanoparticle to decrease the viability of the Hepa-1C1C7 cell and the blood red cell was also evaluated. The FD disclosed the emulsification-diffusion method decreased the residual PVA and the size of PLGA-PEG nanoparticle, but also decreased the entrapment efficiency of GaPc, the zeta potential absolute value and the recovery efficacy of nanoparticles. The combinatory effect between the method used in the nanoparticle preparation and the temperature of aqueous phase influenced four of the five evaluated properties. The viability of Hepa-1C1C7 cells was reduced until 13× when the cells were irradiated in the presence of encapsulated GaPc while it was decreased until 4.7× when the experiment was carried out with the free GaPc. The encapsulated GaPc was also more efficient to cause the haemolysis of the RBC than it was the free GaPc. The optimization of the nanoparticles synthesis increased the efficiency of the GaPc to oxidize the evaluated cells.

Hijacking the Heme Acquisition System of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for the Delivery of Phthalocyanine as an Antimicrobial.

To survive in the iron-devoid environment of their host, pathogenic bacteria have devised multifarious cunning tactics such as evolving intricate heme transport systems to pirate extracellular heme. Yet, the potential of heme transport systems as antimicrobial targets has not been explored. Herein we developed a strategy to deliver antimicrobials by exploiting the extracellular heme acquisition system protein A (HasA) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We demonstrated that, analogous to heme uptake, HasA can specifically traffic an antimicrobial, gallium phthalocyanine (GaPc), into the intracellular space of P. aeruginosa via the interaction of HasA with its outer membrane receptor HasR. HasA enables water-insoluble GaPc to be mistakenly acquired by P. aeruginosa, permitting its sterilization (>99.99%) by irradiation with near-infrared (NIR) light, irrespective of antibiotic resistance. Our findings substantiate that bacterial heme uptake via protein-protein recognition is an attractive target for antimicrobials, enabling specific and effective sterilization.