1
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Hashimoto R, Minoshima M, Kikuchi K. Rational Design of Hydroxylated Thiazole Orange Photocages for Green Light-Triggered DNA Recombination. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202300799. [PMID: 38153201 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
The precise control of DNA recombination enables the cell- or time-dependent regulation of gene expression in studies of gene function. Caged estrogen receptor ligands combined with a Cre-ERT2/loxP system are useful tools for light-triggered DNA recombination. However, the photolysis of most caged compounds requires ultraviolet or blue light, which is toxic and displays low tissue penetration. Although a cyanine-based photo-responsive protecting group (PPG) can release estrogen receptor ligands with longer-wavelength light, its low photolytic efficiency requires long illumination times. We developed a caged estrogen receptor ligand with improved green light-responsive PPGs. The rational modification of Hydroxylated Thiazole Orange (HTO) photocages using electron-donating groups (EDGs), such as dimethoxy (DiMeO)-substituted HTO, resulted in high photolytic efficiency (up to ϵΦ ≈320 M-1 cm-1 ). Theoretical calculations demonstrated that the enhanced photolytic efficiencies were derived from the increased intramolecular charge transfer by EDGs upon excitation. The efficient uncaging of estrogen receptor ligands enabled the control of gene recombination in a ligand-dependent Cre-ERT2/loxP system in live cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryu Hashimoto
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masafumi Minoshima
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- JST, PRESTO, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kazuya Kikuchi
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
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2
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Liu J, Yan P, Liu X, Long Z, Bing T, Zhang N, Shangguan D. Heptamethine Cyanine-Based Molecule Release Triggered by Mitochondrial ROS. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:362-368. [PMID: 38150719 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Conditionally activated molecule release in live cells would provide spatiotemporal control for the study and intervention of biological processes, e.g., bioactive molecule monitoring and controlled drug release. Mitochondria are the main sites of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in cells. Here, we report an ROS-triggered molecule release strategy in mitochondria. A molecule IRTO with dual targeting groups was designed by covalently linking IR-780 (a mitochondrial targeted heptamethine cyanine) and 4-aminobutyl-thiazole orange (NH2-TO, a nuclear dye). IRTO diffused into live cells and first accumulated in mitochondria. As the cyanine moiety reacted with mitochondrial ROS directly or with the help of mitochondrial cytochromes, NH2-TO was released, escaped from mitochondria, and finally located in the nucleus. This process could be visualized by fluorescent imaging, i.e., red fluorescence (from the cyanine moiety of IRTO) first located in mitochondria, and green fluorescence (from NH2-TO) appeared and gradually enhanced in the nucleus with the increase of incubation time. The addition of H2O2 or lipopolysaccharide (LPS, an ROS accelerator) could accelerate the release of NH2-TO, whereas N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC, an ROS inhibitor) and mitoquinone mesylate (MitoQ, a mitochondrial ROS scavenger) could obviously decrease the release of NH2-TO. These results suggest that IRTO could serve as a fluorescent probe for monitoring ROS in mitochondria and that IR-780 might be a promising endogenous ROS-triggered molecule release platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Pu Yan
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiangjun Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhenhao Long
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tao Bing
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Dihua Shangguan
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- School of Molecular Medicine, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
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3
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Jia S, Sletten EM. Spatiotemporal Control of Biology: Synthetic Photochemistry Toolbox with Far-Red and Near-Infrared Light. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:3255-3269. [PMID: 34516095 PMCID: PMC8918031 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The complex network of naturally occurring biological pathways motivates the development of new synthetic molecules to perturb and/or detect these processes for fundamental research and clinical applications. In this context, photochemical tools have emerged as an approach to control the activity of drug or probe molecules at high temporal and spatial resolutions. Traditional photochemical tools, particularly photolabile protecting groups (photocages) and photoswitches, rely on high-energy UV light that is only applicable to cells or transparent model animals. More recently, such designs have evolved into the visible and near-infrared regions with deeper tissue penetration, enabling photocontrol to study biology in tissue and model animal contexts. This Review highlights recent developments in synthetic far-red and near-infrared photocages and photoswitches and their current and potential applications at the interface of chemistry and biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang Jia
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Ellen M Sletten
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
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4
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Agarwal HK, Janicek R, Zhao J, Sambath K, Egger M, Niggli E, Ellis-Davies GCR. The yin and yang of intracellular delivery of amphipathic optical probes using n-butyl charge masking. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:2826-2829. [PMID: 35112125 PMCID: PMC9502023 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc06792c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Monitoring and manipulation of ionized intracellular calcium concentrations within intact, living cells using optical probes with organic chromophores is a core method for cell physiology. Since all these probes have multiple negative charges, they must be smuggled through the plasma membrane in a transiently neutral form, with intracellular esterases used to deprotect the masked anions. Here we explore the ability of the synthetically easily accessible n-butyl ester protecting group to deliver amphipathic cargoes to the cytosol. We show that the size of the caging chromophore conditions the ability of intracellular probe delivery and esterase charge unmasking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitesh K. Agarwal
- Department of Neuroscience, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA.,School of Pharmacy, South University, Savannah, GA 31406, USA
| | | | - Jun Zhao
- Department of Neuroscience, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA.
| | - Karthik Sambath
- Department of Neuroscience, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA.
| | - Marcel Egger
- Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ernst Niggli
- Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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5
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Hashimoto R, Minoshima M, Sakata S, Ono F, Ishii H, Watakabe Y, Nemoto T, Yanaka S, Kato K, Kikuchi K. Efficient Visible/NIR Light-driven Uncaging of Hydroxylated Thiazole Orange-based Caged Compounds in Aqueous Media. Chem Sci 2022; 13:7462-7467. [PMID: 35872806 PMCID: PMC9241960 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc02364d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In photoactivation strategies with bioactive molecules, one-photon visible or two-photon near-infrared light-sensitive caged compounds are desirable tools for biological applications because they offer reduced phototoxicity and deep tissue penetration. However, visible-light-sensitive photoremovable protecting groups (PPGs) reported so far have displayed high hydrophobicity and low uncaging cross sections (εΦ < 50) in aqueous media, which can obstruct the control of bioactivity with high spatial and temporal precision. In this study, we developed hydroxylated thiazole orange (HTO) derivatives as visible-light-sensitive PPGs with high uncaging cross sections (εΦ ≈ 370) in aqueous solution. In addition, 2PE photolysis reactions of HTO-caged glutamate were achieved using a NIR laser (940 nm). Moreover, HTO-caged glutamate can activate N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptors in Xenopus oocytes and mammalian cells with green-light illumination, thus allowing optical control of biological functions. A hydroxylated thiazole orange (HTO)-caged glutamate efficiently releases a glutamate for temporal activation of ion channels under visible-to-NIR light in aqueous media.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryu Hashimoto
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University 2-1 Yamadaoka Suita Osaka 565-0871 Japan
| | - Masafumi Minoshima
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University 2-1 Yamadaoka Suita Osaka 565-0871 Japan
| | - Souhei Sakata
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University 2-7, Daigakucho Takatsuki Osaka 569-8686 Japan
| | - Fumihito Ono
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University 2-7, Daigakucho Takatsuki Osaka 569-8686 Japan
| | - Hirokazu Ishii
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji Okazaki 444-8787 Japan
| | - Yuki Watakabe
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji Okazaki 444-8787 Japan
| | - Tomomi Nemoto
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji Okazaki 444-8787 Japan
| | - Saeko Yanaka
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), Institute for Molecular Science (IMS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji Okazaki 444-8787 Japan
| | - Koichi Kato
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), Institute for Molecular Science (IMS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji Okazaki 444-8787 Japan
| | - Kazuya Kikuchi
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University 2-1 Yamadaoka Suita Osaka 565-0871 Japan
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University 2-1 Yamadaoka Suita Osaka 565-0871 Japan
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6
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Zhu C, Kou T, Kadi AA, Li J, Zhang Y. Molecular platforms based on biocompatible photoreactions for photomodulation of biological targets. Org Biomol Chem 2021; 19:9358-9368. [PMID: 34632469 DOI: 10.1039/d1ob01613j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Photoirradiation provides a convenient and biocompatible approach for spatiotemporal modulation of biological systems with photoresponsive components. The construction of molecular platforms with a photoresponse to be integrated into biomolecules for photomodulation has been of great research interest in optochemical biology. In this review, we summarize typical molecular platforms that are integratable with biomolecules for photomodulation purposes. We categorize these molecular platforms according to their excitation light source, namely ultraviolet (UV), visible (Vis) or near-infrared (NIR) light. The protype chemistry of these molecular platforms is introduced along with an overview of their most recent applications for spatiotemporal regulation of biomolecular function in living cells or mice models. Challenges and the outlook are also presented. We hope this review paper will contribute to further progress in the development of molecular platforms and their biomedical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenghong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Tianzhang Kou
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Adnan A Kadi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Jinbo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
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7
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Hogenkamp F, Hilgers F, Bitzenhofer NL, Ophoven V, Haase M, Bier C, Binder D, Jaeger KE, Drepper T, Pietruszka J. Optochemical Control of Bacterial Gene Expression: Novel Photocaged Compounds for Different Promoter Systems. Chembiochem 2021; 23:e202100467. [PMID: 34750949 PMCID: PMC9299732 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Photocaged compounds are applied for implementing precise, optochemical control of gene expression in bacteria. To broaden the scope of UV‐light‐responsive inducer molecules, six photocaged carbohydrates were synthesized and photochemically characterized, with the absorption exhibiting a red‐shift. Their differing linkage through ether, carbonate, and carbamate bonds revealed that carbonate and carbamate bonds are convenient. Subsequently, those compounds were successfully applied in vivo for controlling gene expression in E. coli via blue light illumination. Furthermore, benzoate‐based expression systems were subjected to light control by establishing a novel photocaged salicylic acid derivative. Besides its synthesis and in vitro characterization, we demonstrate the challenging choice of a suitable promoter system for light‐controlled gene expression in E. coli. We illustrate various bottlenecks during both photocaged inducer synthesis and in vivo application and possibilities to overcome them. These findings pave the way towards novel caged inducer‐dependent systems for wavelength‐selective gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Hogenkamp
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf at Forschungszentrum Jülich Stetternicher Forst, 52426, Jülich, Germany.,Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC)
| | - Fabienne Hilgers
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf at Forschungszentrum Jülich, Stetternicher Forst, 52426, Jülich, Germany.,Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC)
| | - Nora Lisa Bitzenhofer
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf at Forschungszentrum Jülich, Stetternicher Forst, 52426, Jülich, Germany.,Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC)
| | - Vera Ophoven
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf at Forschungszentrum Jülich Stetternicher Forst, 52426, Jülich, Germany.,Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC)
| | - Mona Haase
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf at Forschungszentrum Jülich Stetternicher Forst, 52426, Jülich, Germany.,Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC)
| | - Claus Bier
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf at Forschungszentrum Jülich Stetternicher Forst, 52426, Jülich, Germany.,Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC)
| | - Dennis Binder
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf at Forschungszentrum Jülich, Stetternicher Forst, 52426, Jülich, Germany.,Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC)
| | - Karl-Erich Jaeger
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf at Forschungszentrum Jülich, Stetternicher Forst, 52426, Jülich, Germany.,Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC).,Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-1: Biotechnology), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52426, Jülich, Germany
| | - Thomas Drepper
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf at Forschungszentrum Jülich, Stetternicher Forst, 52426, Jülich, Germany.,Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC)
| | - Jörg Pietruszka
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf at Forschungszentrum Jülich Stetternicher Forst, 52426, Jülich, Germany.,Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC).,Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-1: Biotechnology), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52426, Jülich, Germany
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8
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Xu Y, Lin S, He R, Zhang Y, Gao Q, Ng DKP, Geng J. C=C Bond Oxidative Cleavage of BODIPY Photocages by Visible Light. Chemistry 2021; 27:11268-11272. [PMID: 34114272 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202101833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Photocages for protection and the controlled release of bioactive compounds have been widely investigated. However, the vast majority of these photocages employ the cleavage of single bonds and high-energy ultraviolet light. The construction of a photoactivation system that uses visible light to cleave unsaturated bonds still remains a challenge. Herein, we report a regioselective oxidative cleavage of C=C bonds from a boron-dipyrrolemethene (BODIPY)-based photocage by illumination at 630 nm, resulting in a free aldehyde and a thiol fluorescent probe. This strategy was demonstrated in live HeLa cells, and the generated α-formyl-BODIPY allowed real-time monitoring of aldehyde release in the cells. In particular, it is shown that a mannose-functionalized photocage can target HepG2 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youwei Xu
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Shanmeng Lin
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Rongkun He
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Yichuan Zhang
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Quan Gao
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Dennis K P Ng
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Jin Geng
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
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9
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Caldwell ST, O'Byrne SN, Wilson C, Cvetko F, Murphy MP, McCarron JG, Hartley RC. Photoactivated release of membrane impermeant sulfonates inside cells. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:3917-3920. [PMID: 33871501 PMCID: PMC7611313 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc07713e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Photouncaging delivers compounds with high spatial and temporal control to induce or inhibit biological processes but the released compounds may diffuse out. We here demonstrate that sulfonate anions can be photocaged so that a membrane impermeable compound can enter cells, be uncaged by photoirradiation and trapped within the cell. Photocaged sulfonate delivers membrane impermeant compounds to cells.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sean N O'Byrne
- School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.
| | - Calum Wilson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
| | - Filip Cvetko
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Hills Road, University of Cambridge, CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Michael P Murphy
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Hills Road, University of Cambridge, CB2 0XY, UK
| | - John G McCarron
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
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10
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Weinstain R, Slanina T, Kand D, Klán P. Visible-to-NIR-Light Activated Release: From Small Molecules to Nanomaterials. Chem Rev 2020; 120:13135-13272. [PMID: 33125209 PMCID: PMC7833475 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c00663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 258] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Photoactivatable (alternatively, photoremovable, photoreleasable, or photocleavable) protecting groups (PPGs), also known as caged or photocaged compounds, are used to enable non-invasive spatiotemporal photochemical control over the release of species of interest. Recent years have seen the development of PPGs activatable by biologically and chemically benign visible and near-infrared (NIR) light. These long-wavelength-absorbing moieties expand the applicability of this powerful method and its accessibility to non-specialist users. This review comprehensively covers organic and transition metal-containing photoactivatable compounds (complexes) that absorb in the visible- and NIR-range to release various leaving groups and gasotransmitters (carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, and hydrogen sulfide). The text also covers visible- and NIR-light-induced photosensitized release using molecular sensitizers, quantum dots, and upconversion and second-harmonic nanoparticles, as well as release via photodynamic (photooxygenation by singlet oxygen) and photothermal effects. Release from photoactivatable polymers, micelles, vesicles, and photoswitches, along with the related emerging field of photopharmacology, is discussed at the end of the review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy Weinstain
- School
of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Tomáš Slanina
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Dnyaneshwar Kand
- School
of Plant Sciences and Food Security, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Petr Klán
- Department
of Chemistry and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
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11
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Josa‐Culleré L, Llebaria A. In the Search for Photocages Cleavable with Visible Light: An Overview of Recent Advances and Chemical Strategies. CHEMPHOTOCHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/cptc.202000253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Laia Josa‐Culleré
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) Jordi Girona 18–26 08034 Barcelona Spain
| | - Amadeu Llebaria
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) Jordi Girona 18–26 08034 Barcelona Spain
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12
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Black CE, Zhou E, DeAngelo C, Asante I, Yang R, Petasis NA, Louie SG, Humayun M. Cyanine Nanocage Activated by Near-IR Light for the Targeted Delivery of Cyclosporine A to Traumatic Brain Injury Sites. Mol Pharm 2020; 17:4499-4509. [PMID: 32813533 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.0c00589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
More than 2.8 million annually in the United States are afflicted with some form of traumatic brain injury (TBI), where 75% of victims have a mild form of TBI (MTBI). TBI risk is higher for individuals engaging in physical activities or involved in accidents. Although MTBI may not be initially life-threatening, a large number of these victims can develop cognitive and physical dysfunctions. These late clinical sequelae have been attributed to the development of secondary injuries that can occur minutes to days after the initial impact. To minimize brain damage from TBI, it is critical to diagnose and treat patients within the first or "golden" hour after TBI. Although it would be very helpful to quickly determine the TBI locations in the brain and direct the treatment selectively to the affected sites, this remains a challenge. Herein, we disclose our novel strategy to target cyclosporine A (CsA) into TBI sites, without the need to locate the exact location of the TBI lesion. Our approach is based on TBI treatment with a cyanine dye nanocage attached to CsA, a known therapeutic agent for TBI that is associated with unacceptable toxicities. In its caged form, CsA remains inactive, while after near-IR light photoactivation, the resulting fragmentation of the cyanine nanocage leads to the selective release of CsA at the TBI sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline E Black
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Eugene Zhou
- USC School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Caitlin DeAngelo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Isaac Asante
- USC School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Rong Yang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Nicos A Petasis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States.,USC School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States.,Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Stan G Louie
- USC School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States.,Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Mark Humayun
- Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States.,Keck School of Medicine, Viterbi School of Engineering, and Roski Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
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13
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Black CE, Zhou E, DeAngelo CM, Asante I, Louie SG, Petasis NA, Humayun MS. Cyanine Nanocages Activated by Near-Infrared Light for the Targeted Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury. Front Chem 2020; 8:769. [PMID: 33062635 PMCID: PMC7489144 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.00769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common and prevalent condition that affects large numbers of people across a range of ages. Individuals engaging in physical activities and victims of accidents are at a higher risk for TBI. There is a lack of available treatment specifically for TBI. Given the difficulty to determine its precise location in the brain, TBI remains difficult to fully diagnose or treat. Herein, we disclose a novel strategy for directing therapeutic agents to TBI sites, without the need to determine the precise location of the TBI activity in the brain. This novel approach is based on the use of a cyanine dye nanocage carrying Gabapentin, a known TBI therapeutic agent. Upon exposure of the cyanine nanocage to near-infrared light, the local release of Gabapentin is triggered, selectively at the TBI-affected site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline E Black
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Eugene Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Caitlin M DeAngelo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Isaac Asante
- School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Stan G Louie
- School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Nicos A Petasis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Mark S Humayun
- Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Keck School of Medicine, Viterbi School of Engineering, and Roski Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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14
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Li X, Sun W, Zhang Z, Kang Y, Fan J, Peng X. Red Light-Triggered Polyethylene Glycol Deshielding from Photolabile Cyanine-Modified Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for On-Demand Drug Release. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2020; 3:8084-8093. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c01160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Wen Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
- Ningbo Institute of Dalian University of Technology, Ningbo 315016, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Yao Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Jiangli Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
- Ningbo Institute of Dalian University of Technology, Ningbo 315016, China
| | - Xiaojun Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
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15
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Hartmann D, Smith JM, Mazzotti G, Chowdhry R, Booth MJ. Controlling gene expression with light: a multidisciplinary endeavour. Biochem Soc Trans 2020; 48:1645-1659. [PMID: 32657338 PMCID: PMC7458398 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The expression of a gene to a protein is one of the most vital biological processes. The use of light to control biology offers unparalleled spatiotemporal resolution from an external, orthogonal signal. A variety of methods have been developed that use light to control the steps of transcription and translation of specific genes into proteins, for cell-free to in vivo biotechnology applications. These methods employ techniques ranging from the modification of small molecules, nucleic acids and proteins with photocages, to the engineering of proteins involved in gene expression using naturally light-sensitive proteins. Although the majority of currently available technologies employ ultraviolet light, there has been a recent increase in the use of functionalities that work at longer wavelengths of light, to minimise cellular damage and increase tissue penetration. Here, we discuss the different chemical and biological methods employed to control gene expression, while also highlighting the central themes and the most exciting applications within this diverse field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Hartmann
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Jefferson M. Smith
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Giacomo Mazzotti
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Razia Chowdhry
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Michael J. Booth
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
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16
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Love AC, Prescher JA. Seeing (and Using) the Light: Recent Developments in Bioluminescence Technology. Cell Chem Biol 2020; 27:904-920. [PMID: 32795417 PMCID: PMC7472846 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Bioluminescence has long been used to image biological processes in vivo. This technology features luciferase enzymes and luciferin small molecules that produce visible light. Bioluminescent photons can be detected in tissues and live organisms, enabling sensitive and noninvasive readouts on physiological function. Traditional applications have focused on tracking cells and gene expression patterns, but new probes are pushing the frontiers of what can be visualized. The past few years have also seen the merger of bioluminescence with optogenetic platforms. Luciferase-luciferin reactions can drive light-activatable proteins, ultimately triggering signal transduction and other downstream events. This review highlights these and other recent advances in bioluminescence technology, with an emphasis on tool development. We showcase how new luciferins and engineered luciferases are expanding the scope of optical imaging. We also highlight how bioluminescent systems are being leveraged not just for sensing-but also controlling-biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna C Love
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Jennifer A Prescher
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
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17
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Luciano MP, Nourian S, Gorka AP, Nani RR, Nagaya T, Kobayashi H, Schnermann MJ. A near-infrared light-mediated cleavable linker strategy using the heptamethine cyanine chromophore. Methods Enzymol 2020; 641:245-275. [PMID: 32713525 PMCID: PMC10763689 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2020.04.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Optical methods offer the potential to manipulate living biological systems with exceptional spatial and temporal control. Caging bioactive molecules with photocleavable functional groups is an important strategy that could be applied to a range of problems, including the targeted delivery of otherwise toxic therapeutics. However existing approaches that require UV or blue light are difficult to apply in organismal settings due to issues of tissue penetration and light toxicity. Photocaging groups built on the heptamethine cyanine scaffold enable the targeted delivery of bioactive molecules using near-IR light (up to 780nm) in live animal settings. Here we provide a detailed procedure demonstrating the utility of the heptamethine cyanine caging group to create a light-cleavable linker between an antibody, panitumumab, and a therapeutic small molecule in the duocarmycin class of natural products. Descriptions of the design and synthesis of the small molecule component, assembly of the antibody conjugate, in vitro analysis of uncaging, in vivo imaging, and impact on tumor progression are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Luciano
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Saghar Nourian
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Alexander P Gorka
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Roger R Nani
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Tadanobu Nagaya
- Laboratory of Molecular Theranostics, NIH/NCI/CCR, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Hisataka Kobayashi
- Laboratory of Molecular Theranostics, NIH/NCI/CCR, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Martin J Schnermann
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, United States.
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18
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Zozulia O, Bachmann T, Mokhir A. Red Light Triggered Fluorogenic Reaction with Picomolar Sensitivity Toward Nucleic Acids. Bioconjug Chem 2019; 30:2023-2031. [PMID: 31195795 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.9b00299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We have previously reported on a red light triggered, singlet oxygen-mediated fluorogenic reaction that is templated in a highly sequence specific fashion by nucleic acids (S. Dutta, A. Fulop, A. Mokhir, Bioconjgate Chem. 2013, 24 (9), 1533-1542). Up to the present date, it has remained a single templated reaction responsive to nontoxic >650 nm light. However, it is operative only in the presence of relatively high (>2 nM) concentrations of templates that dramatically limit its applicability in nucleic acid detection. In the current work, we established that an inefficient intermolecular electron transfer involved in reduction of the 1,4-endoperoxide intermediate, formed in the rate-limiting reaction step, is responsible for inhibition of the reaction at low reagent concentrations. We suggested the solution of the problem which includes a combination of a cleavable (9-alkoxyanthracene) moiety with a two-electron donating fragment in one molecule. This approach enables the efficient intramolecular electron transfer to the endoperoxide intermediate in the critical reaction step. Due to the intramolecular character of the latter process, it is practically independent of concentration of the reagents. The reaction based on the improved cleavable moiety was found to be >200-fold more sensitive than the previously reported one. It is fast, sequence specific, and compatible with live cells. Accounting for short reactions times (<30 min), nontoxic trigger (red light), excellent sensitivity, and sequence specificity, this is presently the best reported photochemical templated reaction compatible with live cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleksii Zozulia
- Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) , Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Organic Chemistry Chair II , Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Strasse 10 , 91058 Erlangen , Germany
| | - Tobias Bachmann
- Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) , Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Organic Chemistry Chair II , Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Strasse 10 , 91058 Erlangen , Germany
| | - Andriy Mokhir
- Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) , Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Organic Chemistry Chair II , Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Strasse 10 , 91058 Erlangen , Germany
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19
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Development of photolabile protecting groups and their application to the optochemical control of cell signaling. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2019; 57:164-175. [PMID: 31132552 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2019.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Many biological processes are naturally regulated with spatiotemporal control. In order to perturb and investigate them, optochemical tools have been developed that convey similar spatiotemporal precision. Pivotal to optochemical probes are photolabile protecting groups, so called caging groups, and recent developments have enabled new applications to cellular processes, including cell signaling. This review focuses on the advances made in the field of caging groups and their application in cell signaling through caged molecules such as neurotransmitters, lipids, secondary messengers, and proteins.
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20
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Yamamoto T, Caldwell DR, Gandioso A, Schnermann MJ. A Cyanine Photooxidation/β-Elimination Sequence Enables Near-infrared Uncaging of Aryl Amine Payloads. Photochem Photobiol 2019; 95:951-958. [PMID: 30701558 DOI: 10.1111/php.13090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Uncaging strategies that use near-infrared wavelengths can enable the highly targeted delivery of biomolecules in complex settings. Many methods, including an approach we developed using cyanine photooxidation, are limited to phenol-containing payloads. Given the critical role of amines in diverse biological processes, we sought to use cyanine photooxidation to initiate the release of aryl amines. Heptamethine cyanines substituted with an aryl amine at the C4' position undergo only inefficient release, likely due electronic factors. We then pursued the hypothesis that the carbonyl products derived from cyanine photooxidation could undergo efficient β-elimination. After examining both symmetrical and unsymmetrical scaffolds, we identify a merocyanine substituted with indolenine and coumarin heterocycles that undergoes efficient photooxidation and aniline uncaging. In total, these studies provide a new scheme-cyanine photooxidation followed by β-elimination-through which to design photocages with efficient uncaging properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Yamamoto
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD
| | - Donald R Caldwell
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD
| | - Albert Gandioso
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD.,Seccio de Química Orgànica, Departament de Química Inorganica i Organica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Martin J Schnermann
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD
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21
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Gorka AP, Nani RR, Schnermann MJ. Harnessing Cyanine Reactivity for Optical Imaging and Drug Delivery. Acc Chem Res 2018; 51:3226-3235. [PMID: 30418020 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.8b00384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Optical approaches that visualize and manipulate biological processes have transformed modern biomedical research. An enduring challenge is to translate these powerful methods into increasingly complex physiological settings. Longer wavelengths, typically in the near-infrared (NIR) range (∼650-900 nm), can enable advances in both fundamental and clinical settings; however, suitable probe molecules are needed. The pentamethine and heptamethine cyanines, led by prototypes Cy5 and Cy7, are among the most useful compounds for fluorescence-based applications, finding broad use in a range of contexts. The defining chemical feature of these molecules, and the key chromophoric element, is an odd-numbered polymethine that links two nitrogen atoms. Not only a light-harvesting functional group, the cyanine chromophore is subject to thermal and photochemical reactions that dramatically alter many properties of these molecules. This Account describes our recent studies to define and use intrinsic cyanine chromophore reactivity. The hypothesis driving this research is that novel chemistries that manipulate the cyanine chromophore can be used to address challenging problems in the areas of imaging and drug delivery. We first review reaction discovery efforts that seek to address two limitations of long-wavelength fluorophores: undesired thiol reactivity and modest fluorescence quantum yield. Heptamethine cyanines with an O-alkyl substituent at the central C4' carbon were prepared through a novel N- to O-transposition reaction. Unlike commonly used C4'-phenol variants, this new class of fluorophores is resistant to thiol modification and exhibits improved in vivo imaging properties when used as antibody tags. We have also developed a chemical strategy to enhance the quantum yield of far-red pentamethine cyanines. Using a synthetic strategy involving a cross metathesis/tetracyclization sequence, this approach conformationally restrains the pentamethine cyanine scaffold. The resulting molecules exhibit enhanced quantum yield (ΦF = 0.69 vs ΦF = 0.15). Furthermore, conformational restraint improves interconversion between reduced hydrocyanine and intact cyanine forms, which enables super resolution microscopy. This Account then highlights efforts to use cyanine photochemical reactivity for NIR photocaging. Our approach involves the deliberate use of cyanine photooxidation, a reaction previously only associated with photodegradation. The uncaging reaction sequence is initiated by photooxidative chromophore cleavage (using wavelengths of up to 780 nm), which prompts a C-N bond hydrolysis/cyclization sequence resulting in phenol liberation. This approach has been applied to generate the first NIR-activated antibody-drug conjugates. Tumor uptake can be monitored in vivo using NIR fluorescence, prior to uncaging with an external irradiation source. This NIR uncaging strategy can slow tumor progression and increase survival in a MDA-MB-468- luc mouse model. Broadly, the vantage point of cyanine reactivity is providing novel probe molecules with auspicious features for use in complex imaging and drug delivery settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander P. Gorka
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Roger R. Nani
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Martin J. Schnermann
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 20850, United States
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