Uncaging Efficiency Research Articles

Design and synthesis of a 2,5-Diarylthiophene chromophore for enhanced near-infrared two-photon uncaging efficiency of calcium ions

The design and synthesis of two-photon-responsive chromophores have recently garnered significant attention owing to their potential applications in materials and life sciences. In this study, a novel π-conjugated system, 2-dimethylaminophenyl-5-nitrophenylthiophene derivatives, featuring a thiophene unit as the π-linker between the donor (NMe2C6H4–) and acceptor (NO2C6H4–) units was designed, synthesized, and applied for the development of two-photon-responsive chromophores as a photoremovable protecting group in the near-infrared region. Notably, the positional effect of the nitro group (NO2), meta versus para position, was observed in the uncaging process of benzoic acid. Additionally, while the para-isomer exhibited a single fluorescence peak, a dual emission was detected for the meta-isomer in polar solvents. The caged calcium ion (Ca2+) incorporating the newly synthesized thiophene unit exhibited a sizable two-photon absorption cross-section value (σ2 = 129 GM at 830 nm). Both one-photon and two-photon photoirradiation of caged calcium ions successfully released calcium ions, indicating the potential utility of 2,5-diarylthiophene derivatives in future biological studies.Graphical abstract

Photo-Claisen Rearrangement in a Coumarin-Caged Peptide Leads to a Surprising Enzyme Hyperactivation.

Protein phosphatase-1 (PP1) is a ubiquitous enzyme that counteracts hundreds of kinases in cells. PP1 interacts with regulatory proteins via an RVxF peptide motif that binds to a hydrophobic groove on the enzyme. PP1-disrupting peptides (PDPs) compete with these regulatory proteins, leading to the release of the active PP1 subunit and promoting substrate dephosphorylation. Building on previous strategies employing the ortho-nitrobenzyl (o-Nb) group as a photocage to control PDP activity, we introduced coumarin derivatives into a PDP via an ether bond to explore their effects on PP1 activity. Surprisingly, our study revealed that the coumarin-caged peptides (PDP-DEACM and PDP-CM) underwent a photo-Claisen rearrangement, resulting in an unexpected hyperactivation of PP1. Our findings underscore the importance of linker design in controlling uncaging efficiency of photocages and highlight the need for comprehensive in vitro analysis before cellular experiments.

Sulfonothioated meso-Methyl BODIPY Shows Enhanced Uncaging Efficiency and Releases H2Sn.

meso-Methyl BODIPY photocages stand out for their absorption properties and easy chromophore derivatization. However, their low uncaging efficiencies often hinder applications requiring release of protected substrates in high amounts. In this study, we demonstrate that the sulfonothioated BODIPY group photocleaves a sulfonylthio group from the meso-methyl position with a 10-fold higher quantum yield than the most efficient leaving groups studied to date. Photocleavage, observed in solution and in cells, is accompanied by the spatiotemporally controlled photorelease of H2Sn. For this reason, sulfonothioated BODIPY may be applied in cell signaling, redox homeostasis, and metabolic regulation studies.

P-Nitroterphenyl units for near-infrared two-photon uncaging of calcium ions

Near-infrared two-photon (NIR-2P) uncaging reactions are useful for precise investigations of the roles of biologically active compounds in various phenomena. In this study, we synthesized new NIR-2P-responsive chromophores with terphenyl backbones featuring an ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA) unit as a Ca2+-selective chelator. The photolabile Ca2+ chelators were synthesized in high yields (83 % for 1a, 45 % for 1b) from commercially available starting materials. One- and two-photon photochemical excitations of the synthesized terphenyl derivatives featuring two different electron-donating groups (dimethylamino (NMe2) and methoxyl (OMe)), which were thermally stable at least 36 h at 37 C in HEPES buffer (pH 7.4), were conducted to clarify the substituent effect on the photophysical and photochemical properties. The NMe2 group, which is a stronger electron-donating group, has led to a higher two-photon cross-section (σ2 = 75 GM at 780 nm) compared to the OMe group (σ2 = 9 GM at 720 nm) in a pH = 7.4 HEPES buffer solution, although the molar extinction coefficient (ε) of the NMe2-substituted one (ε = 10,371 at λmax =363 nm) was lower than that of the OMe-derivative (ε = 14,351 at λmax = 344 nm). The quantum yield (Φ = 0.04) for the decomposition of the NMe2-substituted caged compound was lower than that for the OMe-substituted caged compound (Φ = 0.40). One and two-photon uncaging efficiency values of the OMe substituted compound, ε × Φ = 5740 and σ2 × Φ = 3.6, were higher than those of the NMe2-substituted compound, 415 and 3.0, respectively. Laser flash photolysis experiments clarified the decay rate constants (2.5 × 106 and 1.1 × 102 s−1) of aci-nitro intermediates formed during the uncaging process. A concentration jump of Ca2+ was confirmed in the photolysis of caged calcium compounds newly synthesized in this study, indicating the terphenyl derivatives can be also utilized in physiological experiments. The corresponding acetoxymethyl esters were also prepared for physiological studies.

Green-Light Activatable, Water-Soluble Red-Shifted Coumarin Photocages.

Easily accessible green-light activatable (>500 nm) photocages based on red-shifted, π-extended coumarin scaffolds are developed with uncaging efficiencies similar to those of recently introduced BODIPY derivatives. The photocages possess increased aqueous solubility, high absorption coefficients within the 450-600 nm range, and exceptionally high two-photon cross sections.

Photochemical generation of the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) radical from caged nitroxides by near-infrared two-photon irradiation and its cytocidal effect on lung cancer cells.

Novel caged nitroxides (nitroxide donors) with near-infrared two-photon (TP) responsive character, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-(1-(2-(4-nitrophenyl)benzofuran-6-yl)ethoxy)piperidine (2a) and its regioisomer 2b, were designed and synthesized. The one-photon (OP) (365 ± 10 nm) and TP (710–760 nm) triggered release (i.e., uncaging) of the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) radical under air atmosphere were discovered. The quantum yields for the release of the TEMPO radical were 2.5% (2a) and 0.8% (2b) in benzene at ≈1% conversion of 2, and 13.1% (2a) and 12.8% (2b) in DMSO at ≈1% conversion of 2. The TP uncaging efficiencies were determined to be 1.1 GM at 740 nm for 2a and 0.22 GM at 730 nm for 2b in benzene. The cytocidal effect of compound 2a on lung cancer cells under photolysis conditions was also assessed to test the efficacy as anticancer agents. In a medium containing 100 μg mL−1 of 2a exposed to light, the number of living cells decreased significantly compared to the unexposed counterparts (65.8% vs 85.5%).

Dual-wavelength efficient two-photon photorelease of glycine by π-extended dipolar coumarins.

Photolabile protecting groups (PPGs) releasing bioactive compounds upon two-photon excitation have emerged as increasingly popular tools to control and study physiological processes. Yet the limited two-photon photosensitivity of many cages is still a critical issue for applications. We herein report the design, synthesis and photophysical study of polarized extended coumarinyl derivatives which show large two-photon sensitivity (up to 440 GM) at two complementary wavelengths in the NIR spectral range. DFT calculations demonstrate that subtle tuning of polarization in the ground-state and confinement of the photo-induced intramolecular charge transfer upon excitation is responsible for enhancing two-photon absorption while maintaining large uncaging efficiency. These findings open a new engineering route towards efficient coumarinyl PPGs.

Factors affecting the uncaging efficiency of 500 nm light-activatable BODIPY caging group

Photoremovable protective groups, or caging groups, enable us to regulate the activities of bioactive molecules in living cells upon photoirradiation. Nevertheless, requirement of UV light for activating caging group is a significant limitation due to its cell toxicity and its poor tissue penetration. Our group previously reported a 500 nm light-activatable caging group based on BODIPY scaffold, however, its uncaging efficiency was lower than those of conventional caging groups. Here we show that the uncaging quantum yield (QY) of BODIPY caging group depends upon the driving force of photo-induced electron transfer (PeT). We also found that the uncaging QY increased in less polar solvents. We applied these findings to develop BODIPY-caged capsaicin, which is well localized to low-polarity intracellular compartments, as a tool to stimulate TRPV1 in live cells in response to blue-green light.

Cooperative Veratryle and Nitroindoline Cages for Two-Photon Uncaging in the NIR.

Tandem uncaging systems in which a two-photon absorbing module and a cage moiety, linked via a phosphorous clip, that act together by Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) have been developed. A library of these compounds, using different linkers and cages (7-nitroindolinyl or nitroveratryl) has been synthesized. The investigation of their uncaging and two-photon absorption properties demonstrates the scope and versatility of the engineering strategy towards efficient two-photon cages and reveals surprising cooperative and topological effects. The interactions between the 2PA module and the caging moiety are found to promote cooperative effects on the 2PA response while additional processes that enhance the uncaging efficiency are operative in well-oriented nitroindoline-derived dyads. These synergic effects combine to lead to record two-photon uncaging cross-section values (i.e., up to 20 GM) for uncaging of carboxylic acids.

Two-photon sensitive photolabile protecting groups: From molecular engineering to nanostructuration

ABSTRACTGeneral molecular engineering rules for the optimization of two-photon sensitive cages are presented and examples for nitrobenzyl, indole and nitrophenethyl platforms are highlighted. The efficiency of electron donor and acceptor groups in dipolar structures and the length of the conjugated system in the photolabile protecting group on two-photon uncaging efficiency will be discussed, as well as the emergence of symmetrical platform based on bis-electron donor or on quadrupolar architectures. We will then present our first results on the nano-structuration of donor-acceptor systems based on nitrophenetyl platform using diethyleneglycol or pentaerythritol cores.

6-Bromo-7-hydroxy-3-methylcoumarin (mBhc) is an efficient multi-photon labile protecting group for thiol caging and three-dimensional chemical patterning.

The photochemical release of chemical reagents and bioactive molecules provides a useful tool for spatio-temporal control of biological processes. However, achieving this goal requires the development of highly efficient one- and two-photon sensitive photo-cleavable protecting groups. Thiol-containing compounds play critical roles in biological systems and bioengineering applications. While potentially useful for sulfhydryl protection, the 6-bromo-7-hydroxy coumarin-4-ylmethyl (Bhc) group can undergo an undesired photoisomerization reaction upon irradiation that limits its uncaging efficiency. To address this issue, here we describe the development of 6-bromo-7-hydroxy-3-methylcoumarin-4-ylmethyl (mBhc) as an improved group for thiol-protection. One- and two-photon photolysis reactions demonstrate that a peptide containing a mBhc-caged thiol undergoes clean and efficient photo-cleavage upon irradiation without detectable photoisomer production. To test its utility for biological studies, a K-Ras-derived peptide containing an mBhc-protected thiol was prepared by solid phase peptide synthesis using Fmoc-Cys(mBhc)-OH for the introduction of the caged thiol. Irradiation of that peptide using either UV or near IR light in presence of protein farnesyltransferase (PFTase), resulted in generation of the free peptide which was then recognized by the enzyme and became farnesylated. To show the utility of this caging group in biomaterial applications, we covalently modified hydrogels with mBhc-protected cysteamine. Using multi-photon confocal microscopy, highly defined volumes of free thiols were generated inside the hydrogels and visualized via reaction with a sulfhydryl-reactive fluorophore. The simple synthesis of mBhc and its efficient removal by one- and two-photon processes make it an attractive protecting group for thiol caging in a variety of applications.

Pyrene chromophores for the photoreversal of psoralen interstrand crosslinks.

Applying psoralen interstrand crosslinks for the photoactivation of nucleic acids is a new concept. To find chromophores that can efficiently stimulate crosslink repair we screened several pyrenes and appended them to peptide nucleic acids for their site-selective addressing. Even though pyrenes conjugated to uracil revealed desirable spectroscopic properties they were not effective in crosslink reversal. In contrast, bare pyrenes are well suitable for crosslink repair with 350 nm light showing an uncaging efficiency similar to classical photocaging groups.

Two-Photon Optical Interrogation of Individual Dendritic Spines with Caged Dopamine

We introduce a novel caged dopamine compound (RuBi-Dopa) based on ruthenium photochemistry. RuBi-Dopa has a high uncaging efficiency and can be released with visible (blue-green) and IR light in a two-photon regime. We combine two-photon photorelease of RuBi-Dopa with two-photon calcium imaging for an optical imaging and manipulation of dendritic spines in living brain slices, demonstrating that spines can express functional dopamine receptors. This novel compound allows mapping of functional dopamine receptors in living brain tissue with exquisite spatial resolution.

Calcium Imaging and Optical Manipulation of Neuronal Activity in Axolotl using a LED-Based Microscope

Here we introduce a novel fluorescence microscope concept which expands the application of functional fluorescence imaging and further enables optical manipulation of biological samples. Taking advantage of the LED technique allows a space saving housing of multiple light sources and illumination at various wavelengths. Furthermore, the microscope provides an optical separation into two independently controllable excitation pathways enabling a simultaneous illumination of different regions which are adjustable in size. Image detection is realized via a super resolution high speed camera that allows high resolution image capturing (2560x2160) at rates up to 100 Hz. Moreover, we implemented a voice-coil driven high NA objective to ensure z-movement at maximum speed and precision. The multiple LED arrangement and the separation of excitation pathways therefore facilitate the usage of multiple imaging approaches at the same time.To test the performance of the microscope we used in vitro whole head preparations of Ambystoma mexicanum tadpoles. This preparation allows studying neuronal systems with all sensory pathways intact and can be maintained up to one week. Thus, we were able to use calcium imaging to record sensory evoked neuronal responses of central vestibular neurons elicited by electric stimulation of specific semicircular canals. Further, to quantify the glutamate uncaging efficiency we calculated the required light intensity and duration to optically evoke action potentials by patching those neurons. Finally, we could show that by means of spatially separating calcium imaging and glutamate uncaging we were able to manipulate ipsilateral semicircular canal evoked calcium responses by optically activating contralateral inhibitory/excitatory pathways.

Computational design of improved two‐photon active caging compounds based on nitrodibenzofuran

Nitrodibenzofuran (NDBF) has recently been established as photolabile protecting group and efficiently used as two-photon active cage. In this work, a computational approach is exploited to rationally design improved two-photon active caging groups based on this NDBF chromophore. For this objective, first the two-photon absorption (TPA) properties of NDBF are investigated in detail and a suitable theoretical approach for the reliable simulation of TPA spectra of this class of compounds is identified. Then, virtual chemical modifications are performed by introduction of substituents at the chromophore and replacement of the central furan ring by pyrolle, thiophene, and borrole heterocycles. Subsequently, the TPA properties of the resulting compounds are computed, and the influences of the chemical modifications on TPA properties investigated in detail. The most promising candidates with largely increased two-photon uncaging efficiencies are dimethylamino-substituted derivatives of NDBF, nitrodibenzopyrrol, and nitrodibenzothiophene.

Coumarin-Caged dG for Improved Wavelength-Selective Uncaging of DNA

Herein we report on diethylaminocoumarin (DEACM) as a new photoremovable protecting group for 2'-deoxyguanosine in oligonucleotides. An oligonucleotide with O(6)-DEACM-caged dG was synthesized and photochemically analyzed. The DEACM group shows superior photochemical properties at 405 nm with an uncaging efficiency (ε·φ) for deprotection that is 17 times higher than that for 2-(o-nitrophenyl)-propyl NPP caging groups in the same position. Wavelength-selective deprotection in the presence of NPP groups proceeds up to 80 times faster.

New quinoline-based caging groups synthesized for photo-regulation of aptamer activity

Abstract A series of quinoline-based photo-removable protecting groups for photo-regulation of thrombin aptamer (HD1) activity were synthesized with improved caging and uncaging efficiency. Among them, 8-bromo-2-diazomethyl-7-hydroxyquinolinyl (BHQ-diazo, 1) chromophore was found to cage the HD1 with highest caging and restoration efficiency. Moreover, on the basis of the RP-HPLC and SPR analysis, BHQ was demonstrated to regulate HD1s specific affinity to target molecule with 3-fold photolysis sensitivity and about 40% percent higher uncaging efficiency than Bhc (6-bromo-7-hydroxycoumarin-4-ylmethyl) group. It was proposed that the development and use of quinoline derivative may provide a general strategy to photo-regulate oligonucleotide's activity with improved caging and uncaging efficiencies by the convenient non-site-specific caging method.

Bhc-cNMPs as either water-soluble or membrane-permeant photoreleasable cyclic nucleotides for both one- and two-photon excitation.

Cyclic nucleoside monophosphates (cNMPs) play key roles in many cellular regulatory processes, such as growth, differentiation, motility, and gene expression. Caged derivatives that can be activated by irradiation could be powerful tools for studying such diverse functions of intracellular second messengers, since the spatiotemporal dynamics of these molecules can be controlled by irradiation with appropriately focused light. Here we report the synthesis, photochemistry, and biological testing of 6-bromo-7-hydroxycoumarin-4-ylmethyl esters of cNMP (Bhc-cNMP) and their acetyl derivatives (Bhc-cNMP/Ac) as new caged second messengers. Irradiation of Bhc-cNMPs quantitatively produced the parent cNMPs with one-photon uncaging efficiencies (Phiepsilon) of up to one order of magnitude better than those of 2-nitrophenethyl (NPE) cNMPs. In addition, two-photon induced photochemical release of cNMP from Bhc-cNMPs (7 and 8) can be observed with the two-photon uncaging action cross-sections (delta(u)) of up to 2.28 GM (1 GM=10(-50) cm(4) s photon(-1)), which is the largest value among those of the reported Bhc-caged compounds. The wavelength dependence of the delta(u) values of 7 revealed that the peak wavelength was twice that of the one-photon absorption maximum. Bhc-cNMPs showed practically useful water solubility (nearly 500 microM), whereas 7-acetylated derivatives (Bhc-cNMPs/Ac) were expected to have a certain membrane permeability. Their advantages were demonstrated in two types of biological systems: the opening of cAMP-mediated transduction channels in newt olfactory receptor cells and cAMP-mediated motility responses in epidermal melanophores in scales from medaka fish. Both examples showed that Bhc and Bhc/Ac caged compounds have great potential for use in many cell biological applications.