Light-activated gene expression
Date
2016
Authors
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
A method for activating gene expression in cells by using photo-caged small molecules was developed. This method uses the Nuclear Hormone Receptor (NHR) family as a model system. This tool provided an opportunity to study the spatial and temporal control of genes by using small synthetic molecules and light. In the late 1990s, we first demonstrated this concept by using as a photo-caged β-estradiol, the hormone for the estrogen receptor (ER). This work opened the door to other light-controlled ligand/receptor systems by the Koh group and others. The majority of examples employ a classical caging technology, by chemically adding a light-removable protecting group on a biological small molecule of interest and rendering it inactive. The caging group is removed upon UV light irradiation leading to activation of the molecule. The approach and methods developed herein during the late 1990s is still being used today.