Issue 44, 2018

Azobenzene-based small molecular photoswitches for protein modulation

Abstract

Molecular photoswitches are a class of chemical structures that can readily isomerize between distinct geometries upon irradiation with light. Molecular photoswitches are utilized to control protein structure and function with temporal and spatial precision. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in the development of azobenzene-based molecular photoswitches and their applications in the photocontrol of protein structure and function. For clarity of discussion, we divide the known photoswitchable proteins into different categories: protein motifs, ion channels, receptors, and enzymes. Basic approaches and considerations for the structure-guided design of photoswitchable ligands are discussed. The applications and limitations of current photoswitches are also discussed.

Graphical abstract: Azobenzene-based small molecular photoswitches for protein modulation

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
01 sept. 2018
Accepted
17 oct. 2018
First published
30 oct. 2018

Org. Biomol. Chem., 2018,16, 8434-8445

Azobenzene-based small molecular photoswitches for protein modulation

M. Zhu and H. Zhou, Org. Biomol. Chem., 2018, 16, 8434 DOI: 10.1039/C8OB02157K

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