Light-Controlled Cell-Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis

The versatile proteasome inhibitor MG132 is inactivated with a photolabile protection group at its reactive aldehyde function, as described by Esther Zanin et al. in their Research Article (DOI: 10.1002/anie.202008267). Upon blue light irradiation MG132 activity is restored and cancer cells arrest either during metaphase of the cell cycle or die by apoptosis.

Automated summary

The research reveals that the versatile proteasome inhibitor MG132, inactivated with a photolabile protection group, can be restored with blue light irradiation, causing cancer cells to arrest during metaphase of the cell cycle or undergo apoptosis.