Synthesis and evaluation of a photolyzable derivative of sphingosine 1-phosphate—caged SPP

The synthesis of a photolyzable sphingosine 1-phosphate derivative is reported via the reaction of N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-2-N,3-O-isopropylidenesphingosine7 and bis(α-methyl-o-nitrobenzyl) N,N-diisopropyl-phosphoramidite. Stimulation of DNA synthesis upon illumination of caged SPP-loaded cells is also described.