Work

A Zinc(II) Photocage Based on a Decarboxylation Metal Ion Release Mechanism for Investigating Homeostasis and Biological Signaling

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: Metal ion signaling in biology has been studied extensively with ortho-nitrobenzyl photocages; however, the low quantum yields and other optical properties are not ideal for these applications. We describe the synthesis and characterization of NTAdeCage, the first member in a new class of Zn(2+) photocages that utilizes a light-driven decarboxylation reaction in the metal ion release mechanism. NTAdeCage binds Zn(2+) with sub-pM affinity using a modified nitrilotriacetate chelator and exhibits an almost 6 order of magnitude decrease in metal binding affinity upon uncaging. In contrast to other metal ion photocages, NTAdeCage and the corresponding Zn(2+) complex undergo efficient photolysis with quantum yields approaching 30 %. The ability of NTAdeCage to mediate the uptake of (65) Zn(2+) by Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing hZIP4 demonstrates the viability of this photocaging strategy to execute biological assays.

Source: Angewandte Chemie International Edition

DOI: 10.1002/anie.201505778

Authors: Prem N. Basa, Sagar Antala, Robert E. Dempski, Shawn C. Burdette

Institution: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Language: English

Topic: Supramolecular Chemistry and Complexes

Subfield: Organic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Awards: The molecular determinants of zinc uptake mediated by hZIP4, G6607563774