Reversible Photoregulation of Gene Expression and Translation

Several methods for controlling gene expression by light illumination have been reported. Most of these methods control transcription by regulating the interaction between DNA and transcription factors. The use of a photolabile protecting compound (cage compound) is another promising approach for controlling gene expression, although typically in an irreversible manner. We here describe a new approach for reversibly controlling translation using a photoresponsive 8-styryl cap (8ST-cap) that can be reversibly isomerized by illumination with light of a specific wavelength.