A high-conductance chemo-optogenetic system based on the vertebrate channel Trpa1b. Sci Rep 2017 Sep 19;7(1):11839
Date
09/21/2017Pubmed ID
28928472Pubmed Central ID
PMC5605526DOI
10.1038/s41598-017-11791-zScopus ID
2-s2.0-85029827979 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 14 CitationsAbstract
Optogenetics is a powerful research approach that allows localized optical modulation of selected cells within an animal via the expression of genetically encoded photo-excitable ion channels. Commonly used optogenetic techniques rely on the expression of microbial opsin variants, which have many excellent features but suffer from various degrees of blue spectral overlap and limited channel conductance. Here, we expand the optogenetics toolbox in the form of a tunable, high-conductance vertebrate cation channel, zTrpa1b, coupled with photo-activated channel ligands, such as optovin and 4g6. Our results demonstrate that zTrpa1b/ligand pairing offers high light sensitivity, millisecond-scale response latency in vivo, as well as adjustable channel off latency. Exogenous in vivo expression of zTrpa1b in sensory neurons allowed subcellular photo-activation, enabling light-dependent motor control. zTrpa1b/ligand was also suitable for cardiomyocyte pacing, as shown in experiments performed on zebrafish hearts in vivo as well as in human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes in vitro. Therefore, zTrpa1b/optovin represents a novel tool for flexible, high-conductance optogenetics.
Author List
Lam PY, Mendu SK, Mills RW, Zheng B, Padilla H, Milan DJ, Desai BN, Peterson RTAuthor
Pui Ying Lam PhD Assistant Professor in the Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AnimalsHEK293 Cells
Heart Conduction System
Humans
Myocytes, Cardiac
Optogenetics
TRPA1 Cation Channel
Zebrafish
Zebrafish Proteins
