Light-Switchable Ion Channels and Receptors for Optogenetic Interrogation of Neuronal Signaling

Bioconjug Chem. 2018 Apr 18;29(4):861-869. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.7b00803. Epub 2018 Feb 21.

Abstract

Optogenetics is an emerging technique that enables precise and specific control of biological activities in defined space and time. This technique employs naturally occurring or engineered light-responsive proteins to manipulate the physiological processes of the target cells. To better elucidate the molecular bases of neural functions, substantial efforts have been made to confer light sensitivity onto ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors that mediate signaling events within and between neurons. The chemical strategies for engineering light-switchable channels/receptors and the neuronal implementation of these tools are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cysteine / genetics
  • Cysteine / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Ion Channels / genetics
  • Ion Channels / metabolism*
  • Light
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Optogenetics / methods*
  • Photochemical Processes
  • Protein Engineering / methods
  • Receptors, GABA-A / genetics
  • Receptors, GABA-A / metabolism
  • Receptors, Glutamate / genetics
  • Receptors, Glutamate / metabolism
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter / genetics
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • Ion Channels
  • Receptors, GABA-A
  • Receptors, Glutamate
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter
  • Cysteine