Calcium signaling is often oscillatory. Understanding how calcium concentration affects the cell on a molecular level would explain many malfunctions in various disease states. A proposed method to study this phenomenon is the use of a reversible cage for calcium based on a photochromic scaffold. Various modifications are being tested on a previously published photochromic compound to improve the binding affinity and selectivity towards calcium. To develop synthetic and binding methodology, model ligands are current synthesis targets. They will also be used to establish the magnitude of binding affinity improvement. To date, two intermediates of the multistep synthesis of the target ligand have been synthesized. Toluene-4-sulfonic acid 2-amino-phenyl ester and Toluene-4-sulfonic acid 2-(cyanomethyl-amino)-phenyl ester were synthesized and characterized with purified yields of 37.10%, 66.09%, 21.68% and 38.46%. The synthesis and characterization of a model open form will be presented.

Understanding malfunctions in disease states related to oscillatory calcium signaling via a photochromic reversible calcium cage

245th National Meeting (2013)

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