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Updated: May 21, 2026

Electrophysiological Measurements from a Moth Olfactory System
Published on: March 29, 2011
Coumarin-based octopamine phototriggers and their effects on an insect octopamine receptor
Janina Schaal1, Brigitte Dekowski, Burkhard Wiesner
1Leibniz-Institut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany.
Abstract:
We have developed and characterized efficient caged compounds of the neurotransmitter octopamine. For derivatization, we introduced [6-bromo-8-(diethylaminomethyl)-7-hydroxycoumarin-4-yl]methoxycarbonyl (DBHCMOC) and {6-bromo-7-hydroxy-8-[(piperazin-1-yl)methyl]coumarin-4-yl}methoxycarbonyl (PBHCMOC) moieties as novel photo-removable protecting groups. The caged compounds were functionally inactive when applied to heterologously expressed octopamine receptors (AmOctα1R). Upon irradiation with UV-visible or IR light, bioactive octopamine was released and evoked Ca2+ signals in AmOctα1R-expressing cells. The pronounced water solubility of compounds 2-4 in particular holds great promise for these substances as excellent phototriggers of this important neurotransmitter.
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