title: Photolysis of caged compounds: studying Ca(2+) signaling and activation of Ca(2+)-dependent ion channels.
abstract: A wide variety of signaling molecules have been chemically modified by conjugation to a photolabile chromophore to render the substance temporarily biologically inert. Subsequent exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light can release the active moiety from the "caged" precursor in an experimentally controlled manner. This allows the concentration of active molecule to be precisely manipulated in both time and space. These techniques are particularly useful in experimental protocols designed to investigate the mechanisms underlying Ca(2+) signaling and the activation of Ca(2+)-dependent effectors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
authors.forename: Janos
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Almassy
authors.forename: David I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Yule
mesh_terms: D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*; D003584:Cytological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D010782:Photolysis; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D017610:Calcium Compounds; D007473:Ion Channels