Intracellular Photoactivation of Caspase-3 by Molecular Glues for Spatiotemporal Apoptosis Induction

J Am Chem Soc. 2020 May 6;142(18):8080-8084. doi: 10.1021/jacs.0c01823. Epub 2020 Apr 14.

Abstract

Caspase-3 (Casp-3) is an enzyme that efficiently induces apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death. We report a dendritic molecular glue PCGlue that enables intracellular delivery of Casp-3 and its photoactivation. PCGlue carrying multiple guanidinium (Gu+) ion pendants via photocleavable linkages can tightly adhere to Casp-3 and deliver it into the cytoplasm mainly by direct penetration through the plasma membrane. Casp-3, whose surface is covered by PCGlue, is unable to interact with its cellular substrates and can therefore not induce apoptosis. However, upon exposure to UV or two-photon near-infrared (NIR) light, PCGlue is cleaved off to liberate Casp-3, triggering the apoptotic signaling cascade. This intracellular photoactivation of Casp-3 allows spatiotemporal induction of apoptosis in irradiated cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis
  • Caspase 3 / chemistry*
  • Caspase 3 / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Guanidine / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Infrared Rays
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nitro Compounds / chemistry*
  • Photochemical Processes
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Nitro Compounds
  • CASP3 protein, human
  • Caspase 3
  • Guanidine