We present a series of cationic membrane-targeted azobenzene molecules, with the aim to understand how variations in molecular architecture influence the relative optical and biological properties. 1,4-Amino-substituted azobenzene was chosen as the switching unit while the number of linked alkyl chains and their cationic end-group were systematically varied. Their photophysics, membrane partitioning, and electrophysiological efficacy were studied. We found that the polar end group is a key-factor determining the interaction with the phospholipid heads in the plasma membrane bilayer and consequently the ability to dimerize. The monosubstituted photoswitch with a pyridinium-terminated alkyl chain was found to be the best candidate for photostimulation. This study provides a structure-property investigation that can guide the chemical engineering of a new generation of molecular photo-actuators.

Vurro, V., Bondelli, G., Sesti, V., Lodola, F., Paterno, G., Lanzani, G., et al. (2021). Molecular Design of Amphiphilic Plasma Membrane-Targeted Azobenzenes for Nongenetic Optical Stimulation. FRONTIERS IN MATERIALS, 7 [10.3389/fmats.2020.631567].

Molecular Design of Amphiphilic Plasma Membrane-Targeted Azobenzenes for Nongenetic Optical Stimulation

Lodola F.;
2021

Abstract

We present a series of cationic membrane-targeted azobenzene molecules, with the aim to understand how variations in molecular architecture influence the relative optical and biological properties. 1,4-Amino-substituted azobenzene was chosen as the switching unit while the number of linked alkyl chains and their cationic end-group were systematically varied. Their photophysics, membrane partitioning, and electrophysiological efficacy were studied. We found that the polar end group is a key-factor determining the interaction with the phospholipid heads in the plasma membrane bilayer and consequently the ability to dimerize. The monosubstituted photoswitch with a pyridinium-terminated alkyl chain was found to be the best candidate for photostimulation. This study provides a structure-property investigation that can guide the chemical engineering of a new generation of molecular photo-actuators.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
amphiphilic compounds; cell membrane; photochromic molecules; photostimulation; spectroscopy;
English
21-gen-2021
2021
7
631567
open
Vurro, V., Bondelli, G., Sesti, V., Lodola, F., Paterno, G., Lanzani, G., et al. (2021). Molecular Design of Amphiphilic Plasma Membrane-Targeted Azobenzenes for Nongenetic Optical Stimulation. FRONTIERS IN MATERIALS, 7 [10.3389/fmats.2020.631567].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/303922
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