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Spatiotemporally Controlled Nuclear Translocation of Guests in Living Cells Using Caged Molecular Glues as Photoactivatable Tags
Published on: January 17, 2019
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Sono-uncaging for Spatiotemporal Control of Chemical Reactivity
Erik Schrunk1, Sunho Lee2, Przemysław Dutka3
1Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|September 16, 2025
Summary
Scientists developed sono-uncaging, using ultrasound to trigger chemical reactions in opaque materials. This novel method engineers gas vesicles (GVs) to release reactive molecules, enabling precise control over biochemical processes.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Photo-uncaging uses light to control biochemical processes but is limited in opaque tissues.
- Light scattering restricts photo-uncaging applications in biological specimens.
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce sono-uncaging as an ultrasound-triggered alternative to photo-uncaging.
- Demonstrate spatiotemporal control over chemical reactivity in optically opaque materials.
Main Methods:
- Engineered gas vesicles (GVs) to release encapsulated thiols upon ultrasound exposure.
- Developed SonoCages that react with monobromobimane (mBBr) only after ultrasound treatment.
- Utilized phased array ultrasound for spatial patterning of sono-uncaging reactions.
Main Results:
- Sono-uncaging successfully triggered chemical reactions and fluorescence in hydrogels.
- Demonstrated precise spatial patterning of chemical release using ultrasound.
- Achieved patterning with mild ultrasound conditions and diagnostic imaging transducers.
Conclusions:
- Sono-uncaging offers a novel method for spatiotemporal control of chemical reactivity.
- This technique overcomes limitations of photo-uncaging in opaque environments.
- Leverages widely available ultrasound technology for biochemical applications.
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