Open AccessOptical control of biological processes by light‐switchable proteins
Author(s) -
Fan Linlin Z.,
Lin Michael Z.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
wiley interdisciplinary reviews: developmental biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.779
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1759-7692
pISSN - 1759-7684
DOI - 10.1002/wdev.188
Subject(s) - optogenetics , computational biology , biology , biological system , microbiology and biotechnology , nanotechnology , computer science , neuroscience , materials science
Cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, or migration depend on precise spatiotemporal coordination of protein activities. Correspondingly, reaching a quantitative understanding of cellular behavior requires experimental approaches that enable spatial and temporal modulation of protein activity. Recently, a variety of light‐sensitive protein domains have been engineered as optogenetic actuators to spatiotemporally control protein activity. In the present review, we discuss the principle of these optical control methods and examples of their applications in modulating signaling pathways. By controlling protein activity with spatiotemporal specificity, tunable dynamics, and quantitative control, light‐controllable proteins promise to accelerate our understanding of cellular and organismal biology. WIREs Dev Biol 2015, 4:545–554. doi: 10.1002/wdev.188 This article is categorized under: Technologies > Perturbing Genes and Generating Modified Animals Technologies > Analysis of Cell, Tissue, and Animal Phenotypes Technologies > Analysis of Proteins