Photoresponsive polypeptides

Polypeptides containing azobenzene or spiropyran units attached to the macr omolecules respond to light or dark conditions giving reversible variations of their structure. In this Account we provide a short overview of current research in the field and describe the most significant experimental examp les of photoresponse effects. They include photoinduced random coil/alpha - helix transitions, helix-sense reversal, photostimulated aggregation/disagg regation processes, and photomechanical effects. These fascinating properti es suggest that photoresponsive polypeptides may became suitable materials for designing sensors and devices that can be photomodulated. Findings also demonstrate that it is possible to synthesize model systems which respond to light similarly to naturally occurring photoreceptors.