Enzymatic synthesis and photoswitchable enzymatic cleavage of a peptide-linked rotaxane

Abstract

(Figure Presented) Selective digestion: α-Chymotrypsin was used to synthesize a cyclodextrin azo dye rotaxane and to digest it back to its components. E → Z photoisomerization of the rotaxane completely changes its affinity for the enzyme. The presence of the cyclodextrin accelerates digestion of the E isomer and prevents that of the Z isomer. © 2006 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.