Phototrexate
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Phototrexate is a photochromic antifolate drug developed at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology). In particular, it is a photopharmacological agent[1][2] that behaves as light-regulated inhibitor of the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) enzyme.[3][4] Phototrexate is a photoisomerizable structural analogue of the chemotherapy agent methotrexate. It is also an example of "azologization".[5] Pharmacological effects of phototrexate can be switched on and off by UVA and visible light, respectively. Phototrexate is almost inactive in its trans configuration while it behaves as a potent antifolate in its cis configuration. It can also spontaneously self-deactivate in the dark.
