PUBLICATION

Harnessing zebrafish as a model for photopharmacology: Insights into light-controlled biological effects of photoswitchable drugs

Authors
da Silva, G.P., Doorduin, J., Szymanski, W., da Silva, R.S., Elsinga, P., Bonan, C.D.
ID
ZDB-PUB-250918-6
Date
2025
Source
Drug discovery today : 104477104477 (Review)
Registered Authors
Keywords
molecular photoswitches, photopharmacology, pre-clinical translation models, zebrafish
MeSH Terms
none
PubMed
40962200 Full text @ Drug Discov. Today
Abstract
Photopharmacology is an emerging field of pharmacological sciences that enables precise spatiotemporal control over drug activation with light. In its reversible mode, it relies on photoswitchable bioactive compounds. The capacity to reversibly activate and deactivate drugs derivatized with photoswitches enables us to avoid side effects and environmental toxicity. Zebrafish represent an emerging and privileged model for translational photopharmacology because of their optical transparency at early developmental stages, genetic tractability, and well-characterized biological mechanisms. In this review, we discuss the use of zebrafish in advancing photopharmacology and understanding the effects of light-controlled interventions using photoswitchable bioactive compounds.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping