Summary
This dissertation investigates photochromic ligands (PCLs) that use light-induced molecular switching to restore light sensitivity in degenerated retinas, bypassing lost photoreceptors. While primarily a basic science study, the findings have potential implications for therapeutic lighting approaches in retinal degeneration conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa.
Key Findings
- PCLs contain azobenzene photoswitchable moieties that toggle between trans and cis configurations upon illumination with specific wavelengths, altering their affinity for target receptors and thereby controlling neural activity.
- Thermal relaxation back to trans configuration can occur within milliseconds to days depending on molecular substituents, providing tunable off-kinetics distinct from caged ligands.
- The approach has been applied to voltage-dependent ion channels, ionotropic glutamate receptors, GPCRs, TRP channels, and enzymes, demonstrating broad applicability for light-controlled pharmacology.
Categories
Eye Health & Vision: Describes photopharmacological approaches using photochromic ligands for restoring vision in degenerated retinas.
The Science of Light: Characterizes wavelength-dependent photoswitching mechanisms of azobenzene-based compounds relevant to photoreceptor biology and light-controlled neural activity.
Author(s)
LAH Laprell
Publication Year
2015
Related Publications
Eye Health & Vision
- Diminished pupillary light reflex at high irradiances in melanopsin-knockout mice
- Genetic reactivation of cone photoreceptors restores visual responses in retinitis pigmentosa
- Melanopsin and rod–cone photoreceptors play different roles in mediating pupillary light responses during exposure to continuous light in humans
- Characteristic patterns of dendritic remodeling in early-stage glaucoma: evidence from genetically identified retinal ganglion cell types
- Intrinsically photosensitive melanopsin retinal ganglion cell contributions to the pupillary light reflex and circadian rhythm
The Science of Light
- Phototransduction by retinal ganglion cells that set the circadian clock
- Color appearance models
- The mammalian circadian timing system: organization and coordination of central and peripheral clocks
- Diminished pupillary light reflex at high irradiances in melanopsin-knockout mice
- Melanopsin is required for non-image-forming photic responses in blind mice