Modification of biological systems by incorporation of photochromic molecules can lead to reversible control of structure and functionality.1 Using light as a trigger is highly desirable as it allows for high spatiotemporal precision and is generally non-invasive to the surrounding tissue. Such photoregulation of bioactivity is of great interest to synthetic biology, photopharmacology2 and biochemistry. So far, a variety of photoswitches has been incorporated in a range of biomolecules, such as (poly)peptides, nucleic acids and antibiotics. These applications are often limited by the small geometrical change upon photoswitching of azobenzene and stilbene derivatives. Our research aims to improve this approach by the application of molecular motors. Upon irradiation, a relatively large geometrical change is induced in the motor-bio hybrid which leads to a much larger disruption of the biological function. In addition, a motor has the possibility to address four states as opposed to two for conventional photoswitches, leading to a high level of precision. Photocontrolled inhibition of DNA-mediated processes such as replication and transcription can be achieved by molecular recognition through base-pairing. We will discuss the functioning of our motor systems in aqueous environment, the twisting power generated, reversible aggregation in supramolecular systems and control of biomolecular interactions, with a focus on reversible base-pair interactions.1) Szymanski, W.; Beierle, J.M.; Kistemaker, H.A.V.; Velema, W.A.; Feringa, B.L. Chem. Rev. 2013  , 113, 6114.2) Velema, W.A.; Szymanski, W.; Feringa, B.L. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014  , 136, 2178.

Molecular motors in biological systems: Reversible control of base-pair interactions

248th National Meeting (2014)

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