Photochromic channel blockers provide a conceptually simple and convenient way to modulate neuronal activity with light. We have recently described a family of azobenzenes that function as tonic blockers of K-v channels but require UV-A light to unblock and need to be actively switched by toggling between two different wavelengths. We now introduce red-shifted compounds that fully operate in the visible region of the spectrum and quickly turn themselves off in the dark. Furthermore, we have developed a version that does not block effectively in the dark-adapted state, can be switched to a blocking state with blue light, and reverts to the inactive state automatically. Photochromic blockers of this type could be useful for the photopharmacological control of neuronal activity under mild conditions.
Photochromic channel blockers provide a conceptually simple and convenient way to modulate neuronal activity with light. We have recently described a family of azobenzenes that function as tonic blockers of K-v channels but require UV-A light to unblock and need to be actively switched by toggling between two different wavelengths. We now introduce red-shifted compounds that fully operate in the visible region of the spectrum and quickly turn themselves off in the dark. Furthermore, we have developed a version that does not block effectively in the dark-adapted state, can be switched to a blocking state with blue light, and reverts to the inactive state automatically. Photochromic blockers of this type could be useful for the photopharmacological control of neuronal activity under mild conditions.
Seven new azo disperse dyes based on N-benzyl-N-ethyl-aniline were synthesized and characterized by UV-Vis, FT-IR and H-1 NMR spectroscopic techniques. The UV-visible studies and solvatochromic behavior of all dyes in 15 solvents with different polarity were examined and a meaningful correlation was observed. In the optical characterization of dyes using Z-Scan experiment, thin films of polymethyl metacrylate doped with guest synthesized chromophores 2, 3, 4 and 7 were investigated. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Tuning Photochromic Ion Channel Blockers
作者:Alexandre Mourot、Michael A. Kienzler、Matthew R. Banghart、Timm Fehrentz、Florian M. E. Huber、Marco Stein、Richard H. Kramer、Dirk Trauner
DOI:10.1021/cn200037p
日期:2011.9.21
Photochromic channel blockers provide a conceptually simple and convenient way to modulate neuronal activity with light. We have recently described a family of azobenzenes that function as tonic blockers of K-v channels but require UV-A light to unblock and need to be actively switched by toggling between two different wavelengths. We now introduce red-shifted compounds that fully operate in the visible region of the spectrum and quickly turn themselves off in the dark. Furthermore, we have developed a version that does not block effectively in the dark-adapted state, can be switched to a blocking state with blue light, and reverts to the inactive state automatically. Photochromic blockers of this type could be useful for the photopharmacological control of neuronal activity under mild conditions.