Ncm, a photolabile group for preparation of caged molecules: Synthesis and biological application

Sukumaran Muralidharan, Nathaniel D.A. Dirda, Elizabeth J. Katz, Cha Min Tang, Sharba Bandyopadhyay, Patrick O. Kanold, Joseph P.Y. Kao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ncm, 6-nitrocoumarin-7-ylmethyl, is a photolabile protective group useful for making "caged" molecules. Ncm marries the reliable photochemistry of 2-nitrobenzyl systems with the excellent stability and spectroscopic properties of the coumarin chromophore. From simple, commercially available starting materials, preparation of Ncm and its caged derivatives is both quick and easy. Photorelease of Ncm-caged molecules occurs on the microsecond time scale, with quantum efficiencies of 0.05-0.08. We report the synthesis and physical properties of Ncm and its caged derivatives. The utility of Ncm-caged glutamate for neuronal photostimulation is demonstrated in cultured hippocampal neurons and in brain slice preparations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere0163937
JournalPloS one
Volume11
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2016
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
  • General

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