Precise photorelease in living cells by high-viscosity activatable coumarin-based photocages.

ABSTRACT: Intracellular viscosity is a critical microenvironmental factor in various biological systems, and its abnormal increase is closely linked to the progression of many diseases. Therefore, precisely controlling the release of bioactive molecules in high-viscosity regions is vital for understanding disease mechanisms and advancing their diagnosis and treatment. However, viscosity alone cannot directly trigger chemical reactions. Inspired by molecular rotor fluorophores, we have developed a series of high-viscosity activated photocages by modifying the C3 position of the coumarin scaffold with electron-withdrawing groups. In low-viscosity environments, both fluorescence and photocleavage of the photocages are inhibited by nonradiative decay caused by intramolecular free rotation. In contrast,

SUBMITTER: Huang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11770380 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature