Reversible modulation of circadian time with chronophotopharmacology

Nat Commun. 2021 May 26;12(1):3164. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-23301-x.

Abstract

The circadian clock controls daily rhythms of physiological processes. The presence of the clock mechanism throughout the body is hampering its local regulation by small molecules. A photoresponsive clock modulator would enable precise and reversible regulation of circadian rhythms using light as a bio-orthogonal external stimulus. Here we show, through judicious molecular design and state-of-the-art photopharmacological tools, the development of a visible light-responsive inhibitor of casein kinase I (CKI) that controls the period and phase of cellular and tissue circadian rhythms in a reversible manner. The dark isomer of photoswitchable inhibitor 9 exhibits almost identical affinity towards the CKIα and CKIδ isoforms, while upon irradiation it becomes more selective towards CKIδ, revealing the higher importance of CKIδ in the period regulation. Our studies enable long-term regulation of CKI activity in cells for multiple days and show the reversible modulation of circadian rhythms with a several hour period and phase change through chronophotopharmacology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Casein Kinase Ialpha / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Casein Kinase Ialpha / metabolism
  • Casein Kinase Ialpha / ultrastructure
  • Casein Kinase Idelta / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Casein Kinase Idelta / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chronobiology Disorders / drug therapy
  • Circadian Clocks / radiation effects
  • Circadian Rhythm / drug effects*
  • Drug Chronotherapy*
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Enzyme Assays
  • Humans
  • Light
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Photoperiod
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / radiation effects
  • Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / drug effects
  • Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / metabolism
  • Tissue Culture Techniques

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • CSNK1A1 protein, human
  • Casein Kinase Ialpha
  • Casein Kinase Idelta