Membrane-targeted push-pull azobenzenes for the optical modulation of membrane potential.

ABSTRACT: We introduce a family of membrane-targeted azobenzenes (MTs) with a push-pull character as a new tool for cell stimulation. These molecules are water soluble and spontaneously partition in the cell membrane. Upon light irradiation, they isomerize from trans to cis, changing the local charge distribution and thus stimulating the cell response. Specifically, MTs photoisomerization induces clear and reproducible depolarization. The most promising species, MTP2, was extensively studied. Time-resolved spectroscopy techniques provide insights into the excited state evolution and a complete understanding of its isomerization reaction. Molecular Dynamics simulations reveal the spontaneous and stable partitioning of the compound into the cellular membrane, without significant alterations to the bil

SUBMITTER: Sesti V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11688454 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature