Photoswitchable CENP-E Inhibitor Enabling the Dynamic Control of Chromosome Movement and Mitotic Progression

Interfering with mitosis is a potential cancer therapy strategy. However, the lack of controllability of antimitotic drugs in cell growth suppression causes severe side effects and limits their clinical utility. Herein, we developed an azobenzene-based photoswitchable inhibitor of CENP-E, a mitotic kinesin required for chromosome transportation. The new inhibitor enabled reversible photoswitching of CENP-E activity with ∼10-fold change in IC50 between cis and trans photoisomerization states both in vitro and in living cells. It also enabled repeatable photoswitching of CENP-E-dependent chromosome congression and hence mitotic progression with UV/vis light illumination cycles. Using this technique, we could specify the exact process of mitotic progression in which CENP-E plays an indispensable role. Our data demonstrate the power of a photochemical approach for highly controllable mitotic interference as well as for discovery of precise molecular functions in dynamic cellular processes.