Organelle-specific, rapid induction of molecular activities and membrane tethering.

Using new chemically inducible dimerization probes, we generated a system to rapidly target proteins to individual intracellular organelles. Using this system, we activated Ras GTPase at distinct intracellular locations and induced tethering of membranes from two organelles, endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. Innovative techniques to rapidly perturb molecular activities and organelle-organelle communications at precise locations and timing will provide powerful strategies to dissect spatiotemporally complex biological processes.