Caged compounds: tools for illuminating neuronal responses and connections.
A number of new 'caged' intracellular second messengers and neurotransmitters have been developed using the photolabile o-nitrobenzyl group. This chemistry has also recently been exploited in novel ways, including the development of caged enzyme substrates and caged proteins. Although caged compounds continue to be used primarily for mechanistic (kinetic) studies of processes mediated by transmitters or second messengers, the spatial resolution afforded by the use of light to effect changes in transmitter concentrations has now been clearly demonstrated. The increased availability of caged compounds and of the technologies required to exploit them provides neurobiologists with powerful tools for probing neuronal response properties and connectivity patterns.
Nerbonne
J M
JM
Department of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, Missouri 63110, USA. jnerbonn@pharmdec.wustl.edu
D000818:Animals; D004533:Egtazic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D009462:Neurology / Q000379:methods*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D015290:Second Messenger Systems
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; C085112:2-nitrophenyl-EGTA; D004533:Egtazic Acid