Photopharmacology of Protease Inhibitors: Current Status and Perspectives

Proteases are involved in many essential biological processes. Dysregulation of their activity underlies a wide variety of human diseases. Photopharmacology, as applied on various classes of proteins, has the potential to assist protease research by enabling spatiotemporal control of protease activity. Moreover, it may be used to decrease side-effects of protease-targeting drugs. In this review, we discuss the current status of the chemical design of photoactivatable proteases inhibitors and their biological application. Additionally, we give insight into future possibilities for further development of this field of research. No fear of the dark. Photopharmacology is an emerging technique in which bioactive molecules are turned on (or turned off) by means of light. This enables a spatial and temporal control of their activity. In this review, we discuss the progress of photopharmacology in the field protease inhibitors.+ image