RED-SHIFTED PHTHALOCYANINE AND TETRABENZTRIAZAPORPHYRIN REAGENTS

Red-shifted, water-soluble, fluorescent, monomerically-tetherable derivatives having the formula: wherein, M represents either H2 or is selected from among the following metals: aluminum, silicon, phosphorus, gallium, germanium, cadmium, scandium, magnesium, tin, and zinc. Each R1 is independently selected from -XYW, -YW, and -W. X represents either a carbon, or heteroatom selected from among oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, silicon, and selenium; Y represents a linking group; and W represents a water solubilizing group. The substituent R2 is selected from among -A, -Y'A, -XA, and -XY'A, where A denotes a biological entity such as an antibody, antibody fragment, nucleotide, nucleic acid probe, antigen, oligonucleotide, deoxynucleotide, dideoxynucleotide, avidin, streptavidin or membrane probe, or R2 is a reactive or activatable group suitable for conjugating to a biological entity. Y' is a linking group that tethers the biological entity to the phthalocyanine or tetrabenztriazaporphyrin macrocycle. Z is either a nitrogen atom or a carbon substituted with hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl groups. Z may also be attached to R2. Also disclosed are derivatives of the compounds of formula 1 in which 1-4 of the benzo ring(s) contain 1 or 2 N atoms. Methods of sequencing DNA and detecting analytes, including cells, using these derivatives are disclosed, as are kits for carrying out assays for the analytes and flow cytometry. Methods of detecting DNA using cationic compounds of formula 1, wherein R2 = R1 and W = -N+D1D2D3 are also disclosed. Further, compounds containing Tc, Gd, etc. as the metal in formula 1 may be used for imaging or therapy.