Photochromic Blockers of Voltage‐Gated Potassium Channels

Abstract

Light work: Studies into the mechanism of AAQ, a photoswitchable blocker of voltage-gated K+ channels, led to the discovery and development of photochromic ligands that act at the internal tetraethylammonium binding site (see picture). These molecules can be applied from the extracellular side to impart long-lasting photosensitivity on K+ channels in living cells and thereby afford photocontrol of action potential firing in neurons.