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Photochromic Blockers of Voltage‐Gated Potassium Channels
Author(s) -
Banghart Matthew R.,
Mourot Alexandre,
Fortin Doris L.,
Yao Jennifer Z.,
Kramer Richard H.,
Trauner Dirk
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.200904504
Subject(s) - photochromism , tetraethylammonium , photosensitivity , chemistry , potassium channel , potassium channel blocker , voltage gated potassium channel , biophysics , potassium , materials science , optoelectronics , photochemistry , biology , organic chemistry
Light work : Studies into the mechanism of AAQ, a photoswitchable blocker of voltage‐gated K + channels, led to the discovery and development of photochromic ligands that act at the internal tetraethylammonium binding site (see picture). These molecules can be applied from the extracellular side to impart long‐lasting photosensitivity on K + channels in living cells and thereby afford photocontrol of action potential firing in neurons.