Caged AG10: new tools for spatially predefined mitochondrial uncoupling

The study of mitochondria and mitochondrial Ca²⁺ signalling in localised regions is hampered by the lack of tools that can uncouple the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ_m) in a spatially predefined manner. Although there are a number of existing mitochondrial uncouplers, these compounds are necessarily membrane permeant and therefore exert their actions in a spatially unselective manner. Herein, we report the synthesis of the first caged (photolabile protected) mitochondrial uncouplers, based on the tyrphostin AG10. We have analysed the laser photolysis of these compounds, using ¹H NMR and HPLC, and demonstrate that the major product of caged AG10 photolysis is AG10. It is shown that photolysis within single smooth muscle cells causes a collapse of ΔΨ_m consistent with photorelease of AG10. Furthermore, the effect of the photoreleased AG10 is localised to a subcellular region proximal to the site of photolysis, demonstrating for the first time spatially predefined mitochondrial uncoupling.