Figure 4.

Uncaging of CNB-Glu is faster than naturalistic receptor activation^[32].

a) Photochemical reaction mechanism of CNB-Glu uncaging, the primary photochemical step is benzylic H abstraction, producing the aci-nitro intermediate, which decays by C-O bond scission. This rate (k₁) that matches C=O bond stretch loss in the IR, and C=O bond appearance of glutamate, implying k₁ < k₂; b) The aci-nitro intermediate absorption decay monitored at 450 nm; c) Cartoon of ion channel opening; d) Glutamate receptors currents show rapid rise times after CNB-Glu laser photolysis, these mimic physiological rates, proving CNB-Glu can be used for fast physiology, as k₁ > k₃. Parts b) and d) copyright 1994 National Academy of Science, used by permission.