Optogenetics is a technique where a cell is transduced with a light-sensitive ion channel. This technique can be used to control muscle cell contraction in conjunction with commonly used viral vectors. However, this technique has not yet become widely applied. In this study, we discuss the mechanisms and techniques involved in opsin transfer to muscle tissue, the clinical applicability of these approaches, and the major limitations facing this technique.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/hum.2022.236 | DOI Listing |
Elife
January 2025
Department of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
Dendrites are crucial for receiving information into neurons. Sensory experience affects the structure of these tree-like neurites, which, it is assumed, modifies neuronal function, yet the evidence is scarce, and the mechanisms are unknown. To study whether sensory experience affects dendritic morphology, we use the arborized nociceptor PVD neurons, under natural mechanical stimulation induced by physical contacts between individuals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Neurosci
January 2025
Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33143 USA
Neuroendocrine cells react to physical, chemical, and synaptic signals originating from tissues and the nervous system, releasing hormones that regulate various body functions beyond the synapse. Neuroendocrine cells are often embedded in complex tissues making direct tests of their activation mechanisms and signaling effects difficult to study. In the nematode worm , four uterine-vulval (uv1) neuroendocrine cells sit above the vulval canal next to the egg-laying circuit, releasing tyramine and neuropeptides that feedback to inhibit egg laying.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurr Biol
January 2025
Research Group Neurobiology of Flight Control, Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior - caesar, 53175 Bonn, Germany. Electronic address:
Approaching threats are perceived through visual looming, a rapid expansion of an image on the retina. Visual looming triggers defensive responses such as freezing, flight, turning, or take-off in a wide variety of organisms, from mice to fish to insects. In response to looming, flies perform rapid evasive turns known as saccades.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAngew Chem Int Ed Engl
January 2025
Umeå Universitet: Umea Universitet, Department of Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, 90187, Umeå, SWEDEN.
Optogenetic systems using photosensitive proteins and chemically induced dimerization/proximity (CID/CIP) approaches enabled by chemical dimerizers (also termed molecular glues), are powerful tools to elucidate the dynamics of biological systems and to dissect complex biological regulatory networks. Here, we report a versatile chemo-optogenetic system using modular, photoswitchable molecular glues (sMGs) that can undergo repeated cycles of optical control to switch protein function on and off. We use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to rationally design the sMGs and further expand their scope by incorporating different photoswitches, resulting in sMGs with customizable properties.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDevelopment
January 2025
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, Funabashi, Chiba, 274-8510, Japan.
Oscillatory dynamics and their modulation are crucial for cellular decision-making; however, analysing these dynamics remains challenging. Here, we present a tool that combines the light-activated adenylate cyclase mPAC with the cAMP biosensor Pink Flamindo, enabling precise manipulation and real-time monitoring of cAMP oscillation frequencies in Dictyostelium. High-frequency modulation of cAMP oscillations induced cell aggregation and multicellular formation, even at low cell densities, such as a few dozen cells.
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