Controlled release of bioactive signaling molecules.

Membrane-initiated steroid signaling (MISS) involves rapid second messenger based intracellular signaling without coupling to transcription or translation. MISS activates important cellular signaling cascades such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) or adenylate cyclase pathways. Despite its vital role in signaling, the downstream second messengers involved in MISS and their temporal dynamics remain elusive. A technology which can offer pristine spatiotemporal control over the release of the steroid initiator could pave the way to understand these rapid and ultrasensitive signaling processes. Toward this, we describe a DNA-nanocapsule based technology to chemically release steroids and study MISS in endothelial cells. Here we discuss the synthesis and cellular protocols for investigators who seek to utilize DNA-nanocapsules for the chemically triggered release of small molecules.