32152-24-2Relevant academic research and scientific papers
Tuning photochromic ion channel blockers
Mourot, Alexandre,Kienzler, Michael A.,Banghart, Matthew R.,Fehrentz, Timm,Huber, Florian M. E.,Stein, Marco,Kramer, Richard H.,Trauner, Dirk
, p. 536 - 543 (2014)
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 Kv 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.
