Single-step synthesis of cell-permeable protein dimerizers that activate signal transduction and gene expression

New chemical inducers of dimerization (CIDs) were synthesized using one-step dimerization of the immunosuppressant FK506 by olefin metathesis. These small-molecule protein dimerizers can activate signal transduction pathways and gene expression at low concentrations in mammalian cells as well as transgenic animals. Widespread usage of CIDs will be made possible by the ease of synthesis of these compounds.