Photolysis of caged compounds: studying Ca(2+) signaling and activation of Ca(2+)-dependent ion channels.

Janos Almassy, David I Yule

Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.

Cold Spring Harbor protocols 2013 Jan

filter terms:

A wide variety of signaling molecules have been chemically modified by conjugation to a photolabile chromophore to render the substance temporarily biologically inert. Subsequent exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light can release the active moiety from the "caged" precursor in an experimentally controlled manner. This allows the concentration of active molecule to be precisely manipulated in both time and space. These techniques are particularly useful in experimental protocols designed to investigate the mechanisms underlying Ca(2+) signaling and the activation of Ca(2+)-dependent effectors.

Citation

Janos Almassy, David I Yule. Photolysis of caged compounds: studying Ca(2+) signaling and activation of Ca(2+)-dependent ion channels. Cold Spring Harbor protocols. 2013 Jan;2013(1)