Photoswitchable PROTACs for Reversible and Spatiotemporal Regulation of NAMPT and NAD

Abstract

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺ ) is an essential coenzyme with diverse biological functions in DNA synthesis. Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is a key rate-limiting enzyme involved in NAD⁺ biosynthesis in mammals. We developed the first chemical tool for optical control of NAMPT and NAD⁺ in biological systems using photoswitchable proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PS-PROTACs). An NAMPT activator and dimethylpyrazolazobenzene photoswitch were used to design highly efficient PS-PROTACs, enabling up- and down-reversible regulation of NAMPT and NAD⁺ in a light-dependent manner and reducing the toxicity associated with inhibitor-based PS-PROTACs. PS-PROTAC was activated under 620 nm irradiation, realizing in vivo optical manipulation of antitumor activity, NAMPT, and NAD⁺ .

Keywords: NAD+; NAMPT; PROTAC; activator; photopharmacology; photoswitch.