Driving and photo-regulation of myosin–actin motors at molecular and macroscopic levels by photo-responsive high energy molecules

We employed an azobenzene based non-nucleoside triphosphate, AzoTP, in a myosin–actin motile system and demonstrated its efficiency as an energy molecule to drive and photo-regulate the myosin–actin motile function at the macroscopic level along with an in vitro motility assay. The AzoTP in its trans state induced shortening of a glycerinated muscle fibre whilst a cis isomer had no significant effect. Direct photoirradiation of a cis-AzoTP infused muscle fibre induced shortening triggered by a locally photo-generated trans-AzoTP in the muscle fibre. Furthermore, we designed and synthesized three new derivatives of AzoTPs that served as substrates for myosin by driving and photo-regulating the myosin–actin motile function at the molecular as well as the macroscopic level with varied efficiencies.