Understanding malfunctions in disease states related to oscillatory calcium signaling via a photochromic reversible calcium cage

Calcium signaling is often oscillatory, such as in the role it plays in triggering the enzyme calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. The basis of oscillatory signals is known, yet how they affect the cell on a molecular level is not well-understood. Calcium is one of the most known and versatile signaling agents in the human body. Calcium and its various signals control many important functions in the human body; therefore understanding how calcium concentration affects the cell on a molecular level would explain many malfunctions, such as heart disease, diabetes and manic depression. A proposed method to study this phenomenon is the use of a reversible cage for calcium based on a photochromic scaffold. A previously published photochromic compound is currently under modification to improve the binding affinity and selectivity towards calcium. Various modifications are being tested, which include increasing the chelate effect. The synthesis and characterization of a model open form will be presented and binding studies are currently underway.