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Updated: May 30, 2026

Rapid Optimization of a Light-Inducible System to Control Mammalian Gene Expression
Published on: November 4, 2025
Photoresponsive 5'-cap for the reversible photoregulation of gene expression
Shinzi Ogasawara1, Mizuo Maeda
1Innovative use of Light and Materials/Life, JST-PRESTO, Sanbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0075, Japan. o_shinji@riken.jp
Abstract:
Photoresponsive 5'-caps that can be reversibly cis-trans isomerized by light irradiation were developed for the reversible photoregulation of gene expression. The 8-naphthylvinyl cap (8NV-cap) in the trans form completely inhibited translation of mRNA, whereas the cis form yielded protein with the same efficiency as mRNA capped with the normal-cap, a 26-fold higher efficiency than that of the trans form. The 8NV-capped mRNA could be switched between a translating state (ON state) and a non-translating state (OFF state) in a reversible fashion by alternately irradiating with monochromatic 410 nm or 310 nm light.
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