Photoswitchable peptides for spatiotemporal control of biological functions

Abstract

Bioactive photoswitchable peptides as excellent optochemical tools for cellular processes.

Configurational Selection in Azobenzene‐Based Supramolecular Systems Through Dual‐Stimuli Processes

“…Noticeable applications range from classical supramolecular devices (recognition, self‐assembly, transport, sensing, catalysis, etc .) to photoresponsive architectures, passing through responsive materials and polymer science, energy‐related technologies, molecular machines, and biology . The preference for azobenzene with respect to other molecular switches relays on its easy preparation and functionalization, on the neat photophysical behavior that normally allows fast E / Z isomerization and selective irradiation of the two isomers, and on the large geometrical rearrangement that accompanies the isomerization process .…”

Light-controllable dithienylethene-modified cyclic peptides: photoswitching the in vivo toxicity in zebrafish embryos

“…In recent years, photopharmacology [14][15][16] has emerged as a successful approach to enhance spatiotemporal selectivity of chemotherapeutics, decreasing the overall toxicity and increasing the safety of drugs. Various compound classes are currently being explored as photopharmacology agents [16][17][18][19][20][21], including peptides [19][20][21]. The idea behind photopharmacology is based on the design and use of drugs containing a reversibly photoisomerizable fragment ("molecular photoswitch") as part of their structure.…”

“…Among several known photoswitches [18] that are being used in peptides [19][20][21][22][23], diarylethenes (DAE) have increasingly attracted attention in recent years [22,23]. Photoswitchable DAEderived molecules offer several advantages for medical applications, as their photoforms are thermally irreversible and highly fatigue resistant [24][25][26].…”

Visible-light-driven photocontrol of the Trp-cage protein fold by a diazocine cross-linker

“…The ability to control the biological activities of peptides or proteins with high spatio-temporal resolution is a powerful tool to elucidate the mechanisms, kinetics and sequence of these biochemical pathways. [1][2][3][4] Visible light is a perfect trigger as it transfers a desired amount of energy with the required spatial and temporal resolution, does not contaminate the sample, is non-toxic and has a high penetration depth (except through blood-supported tissue). Consequently, irradiation-induced configurational changes of incorporated light-sensitive chromophores have been used to control the three-dimensional structure of peptides and proteins.…”

“…Consequently, irradiation-induced configurational changes of incorporated light-sensitive chromophores have been used to control the three-dimensional structure of peptides and proteins. [1][2][3][4] By far the most frequently used photoswitches are azobenzenes. [1][2][3][4] Upon irradiation, they undergo reversible isomerization between two states of significantly different geome-tries ( Fig.…”