Optochemical control of Cu(I) homeostasis in mammalian cells

Copper can act as a double-edged sword as it can cause fatal diseases when in excess or shortage. Precise control of copper homeostasis is maintained by a complex machinery inside cells. To overcome imbalances in copper concentration, we have developed a simple system to control the cellular copper concentration by using a photocaged chelator and light. This photocaged chelator allowed us to control cellular copper concentration in a spatiotemporal manner.