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Disassembly of Intermediate Filaments

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Intermediate filaments (IFs) do not undergo spontaneous disassembly. Enzymes, kinases, and phosphatases add and remove phosphates from specific sites to regulate their disassembly. The IF concentration in the cytoplasm also regulates the disassembly. If the concentration crosses a threshold, it activates the protein kinases in the vicinity, allowing the phosphorylation of IFs.
Keratin proteins, found at the cell periphery near cell junctions, undergo a cycle of assembly and disassembly. In Type...

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An Integrated System to Remotely Trigger Intracellular Signal Transduction by Upconversion Nanoparticle-mediated Kinase Photoactivation

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Low power, biologically benign NIR light triggers polymer disassembly.

Nadezda Fomina¹, Cathryn L McFearin, Marleen Sermsakdi

¹Skaggs School Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of NanoEngineering, Materials Science and Engineering and Biomedical Sciences Programs, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093.

|November 19, 2011

Summary

Researchers developed a novel polymer that disassembles using near-infrared (NIR) light. This biomaterial is safe for cells and shows potential for in vivo applications, offering precise control via two-photon absorption.

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Area of Science:

Biomaterials Science
Polymer Chemistry
Photochemistry

Background:

Near-infrared (NIR) irradiation offers deep tissue penetration and precise remote application for medical uses.
A significant gap exists in biomaterials responsive to NIR wavelengths for advanced applications.

Purpose of the Study:

To design and synthesize a novel polymeric material responsive to near-infrared (NIR) irradiation via two-photon absorption.
To evaluate the material's disassembly kinetics, biocompatibility, and potential for in vivo applications.

Main Methods:

Synthesis of a polymer featuring pendant 4-bromo7-hydroxycoumarin protecting groups.
Photodegradation studies using single-photon absorption (UV) and two-photon absorption (NIR).
Cell viability assays before and after polymer degradation.

Main Results:

The polymer disassembles upon NIR irradiation through two-photon absorption.
Significant polymer mass loss (50% Mw) occurred in 21 minutes under NIR, compared to 25 seconds under UV.
The material demonstrated good cell tolerance both pre- and post-degradation.

Conclusions:

A novel NIR-responsive polymer was successfully developed.
The material's disassembly is triggered by photolysis of protecting groups, leading to backbone degradation.
This NIR-sensitive biomaterial shows promise for future in vivo biomedical applications.