Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2022, Vol. 17 ›› Issue (1): 25-30.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.314293

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Optogenetic activation of intracellular signaling based on light-inducible protein-protein homo-interactions

Peiyuan Huang1, Zhihao Zhao1, Liting Duan1, 2, *   

  1. 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; 2Shun Hing Institute of Advanced Engineering (SHIAE), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China 
  • Online:2022-01-05 Published:2021-09-17
  • Contact: Liting Duan, PhD, ltduan@cuhk.edu.hk.
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by a Shun Hing Institute of Advanced Engineering Grant (No. 4720247), and a General Research Fund/Early Career Scheme (No. 24201919) from the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (to LD).

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Abstract: Dynamic protein-protein interactions are essential for proper cell functioning. Homo-interaction events—physical interactions between the same type of proteins—represent a pivotal subset of protein-protein interactions that are widely exploited in activating intracellular signaling pathways. Capacities of modulating protein-protein interactions with spatial and temporal resolution are greatly desired to decipher the dynamic nature of signal transduction mechanisms. The emerging optogenetic technology, based on genetically encoded light-sensitive proteins, provides promising opportunities to dissect the highly complex signaling networks with unmatched specificity and spatiotemporal precision. Here we review recent achievements in the development of optogenetic tools enabling light-inducible protein-protein homo-interactions and their applications in optical activation of signaling pathways.

Key words: cryptochrome 2, homo-interaction, intracellular signaling, light, light-induced protein-protein interaction, light-oxygen-voltage-sensing domain, light-sensitive proteins, optogenetics, phytochrome, signal transduction