Reversible, Spatial and Temporal Control over Protein Activity Using Light

Mark W H Hoorens; Wiktor Szymanski

doi:10.1016/j.tibs.2018.05.004

Reversible, Spatial and Temporal Control over Protein Activity Using Light

Trends Biochem Sci. 2018 Aug;43(8):567-575. doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2018.05.004. Epub 2018 Jun 19.

Authors

Mark W H Hoorens¹, Wiktor Szymanski²

Affiliations

¹ University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Radiology, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands; Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
² University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Radiology, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands; Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: w.szymanski@umcg.nl.

PMID: 29934030
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2018.05.004

Abstract

In biomedical sciences, the function of a protein of interest is investigated by altering its net activity and assessing the consequences for the cell or organism. To change the activity of a protein, a wide variety of chemical and genetic tools have been developed. The drawback of most of these tools is that they do not allow for reversible, spatial and temporal control. Here, we describe selected developments in photopharmacology that aim at establishing such control over protein activity through bioactive molecules with photo-controlled potency. We also discuss why such control is desired and what challenges still need to be overcome for photopharmacology to reach its maturity as a chemical biology research tool.

Keywords: Light; Photopharmacology; Photoswitch; Protein activity regulation; Remote bioactivity control.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Light*
Photochemical Processes*
Proteins / metabolism
Proteins / radiation effects*
Time Factors

Substances

Proteins