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Increased levels of the second messenger lipid diacylglycerol (DAG) induce downstream signaling events including the translocation of C1-domain-containing proteins toward the plasma membrane. Here, we introduce three light-sensitive DAGs, termed PhoDAGs, which feature a photoswitchable acyl chain. The PhoDAGs are inactive in the dark and promote the translocation of proteins that feature C1 domains toward the plasma membrane upon a flash of UV-A light. This effect is quickly reversed after the termination of photostimulation or by irradiation with blue light, permitting the generation of oscillation patterns. Both protein kinase C and Munc13 can thus be put under optical control. PhoDAGs control vesicle release in excitable cells, such as mouse pancreatic islets and hippocampal neurons, and modulate synaptic transmission in Caenorhabditis elegans. As such, the PhoDAGs afford an unprecedented degree of spatiotemporal control and are broadly applicable tools to study DAG signaling.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/nchembio.2141

Type

Journal article

Journal

Nat Chem Biol

Publication Date

2016

Volume

12

Pages

755 - 762

Keywords

Animals Caenorhabditis elegans/enzymology/metabolism/radiation effects Diglycerides/chemistry/*metabolism/*radiation effects Mice Optical Phenomena Photochemical Processes/*radiation effects Protein Kinase C/chemistry/*metabolism/*radiation effects Signal Transduction/radiation effects *Ultraviolet Rays