Enantioselective Cydization of Photochromic Dithienylethenes Bound to DNA

摘要

Since the majority of the DNA-mediated processes occurring in our cells can be inhibited by molecules binding to the double helix, photoactivation of the DNA binding process would provide a dramatically improved spatiotemporal control over the action of many biochemical processes. With this idea as the inspiration, the DNA binding properties of a number of photochromic systems have recently been studied. A spiropyran, a chromene, and a benzothia-zoloquinolinium have all been shown to have only one form of the photochromic molecule which interacts with DNA, and DNA binding can therefore be modulated by irradiation. Conversely, both the isomers of a dithienylethene (DTE) derivative were shown to bind to DNA with similar binding affinities.