Recent Advances in Gold(I) Complexes Based Biological Applications

Xueji Zhang^1,*

¹ Research Center for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China

²Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA

³Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh-11451, Saudi Arabia.

⁴Policy Alternative Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Faculty of Engineering Bldg. 9, 2-11-16 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan

^*Corresponding Author

Prof. Xueji Zhang

Research Center for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology

School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering

University of Science and Technology Beijing

Beijing 100083, China

Email: zhangxueji@ustb.edu.cn

Abstract

The development of the synthesis of a wide range of Au(I) complexes reversibly promotes the advance in their practical usages, particularly, in biological applications. The formation of gold-sulfur rich protein adducts contributes to the cytotoxic nature of the gold compounds for chemotherapeutic approaches, while Au-Au interactions endow them with spectroscopic and luminescence properties. This article reviews that the recent five year progress for Au(I) complexes based biological applications, including the investigation of the development of new anticancer agents and antibacterial compounds, the application of biological imaging and the fabrication of novel sensors.

Keywords: Au(I) complexes, anticancer, antibacterial, biological imaging, sensors.

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