caged-Ins(145)P3 / PM

Membrane-permeant derivatives of inositol phosphates require the intracellular enzymatic hydrolysis of several protecting groups in order to generate the biologically active compound. The photolysis of membrane-permeant caged derivatives of Ins(1,4,5)P3 might mimic fast intracellular responses. In an initial step, cells are loaded with the caged Ins(1,4,5)P3 derivative.

Within 30 to 180 minutes, all bioactivatable protecting groups are removed, generating caged inositol phosphate. The cage is known to prevent biological activity. The photochemical destruction of the cage (360–400 nm) releases active Ins(1,4,5)P3 within a few seconds. Since this approach does not directly trigger other signaling events, membrane-permeant derivatives of signaling molecules can help dissect signaling pathways.

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