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Effiong UM, Khairandish H, Ramirez-Velez I, Wang Y, Belardi B. Turn-on protein switches for controlling actin binding in cells. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5840. [PMID: 38992021 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49934-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Within a shared cytoplasm, filamentous actin (F-actin) plays numerous and critical roles across the cell body. Cells rely on actin-binding proteins (ABPs) to organize F-actin and to integrate its polymeric characteristics into diverse cellular processes. Yet, the multitude of ABPs that engage with and shape F-actin make studying a single ABP's influence on cellular activities a significant challenge. Moreover, without a means of manipulating actin-binding subcellularly, harnessing the F-actin cytoskeleton for synthetic biology purposes remains elusive. Here, we describe a suite of designed proteins, Controllable Actin-binding Switch Tools (CASTs), whose actin-binding behavior can be controlled with external stimuli. CASTs were developed that respond to different external inputs, providing options for turn-on kinetics and enabling orthogonality and multiplexing. Being genetically encoded, we show that CASTs can be inserted into native protein sequences to control F-actin association locally and engineered into structures to control cell and tissue shape and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Unyime M Effiong
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Hannah Khairandish
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Isabela Ramirez-Velez
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Yanran Wang
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Brian Belardi
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
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2
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Quantifying the impact of electric fields on single-cell motility. Biophys J 2021; 120:3363-3373. [PMID: 34242588 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.06.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell motility in response to environmental cues forms the basis of many developmental processes in multicellular organisms. One such environmental cue is an electric field (EF), which induces a form of motility known as electrotaxis. Electrotaxis has evolved in a number of cell types to guide wound healing and has been associated with different cellular processes, suggesting that observed electrotactic behavior is likely a combination of multiple distinct effects arising from the presence of an EF. To determine the different mechanisms by which observed electrotactic behavior emerges, and thus to design EFs that can be applied to direct and control electrotaxis, researchers require accurate quantitative predictions of cellular responses to externally applied fields. Here, we use mathematical modeling to formulate and parameterize a variety of hypothetical descriptions of how cell motility may change in response to an EF. We calibrate our model to observed data using synthetic likelihoods and Bayesian sequential learning techniques and demonstrate that EFs bias cellular motility through only one of a selection of hypothetical mechanisms. We also demonstrate how the model allows us to make predictions about cellular motility under different EFs. The resulting model and calibration methodology will thus form the basis for future data-driven and model-based feedback control strategies based on electric actuation.
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3
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Abstract
Actin is a conserved cytoskeletal protein with essential functions. Here, we review the state-of-the-art reagents, tools and methods used to probe actin biology and functions in zebrafish embryo and larvae. We also discuss specific cell types and tissues where the study of actin in zebrafish has provided new insights into its functions.
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4
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Salem FB, Bunner WP, Prabhu VV, Kuyateh AB, O'Bryant CT, Murashov AK, Szatmari EM, Hughes RM. CofActor: A light- and stress-gated optogenetic clustering tool to study disease-associated cytoskeletal dynamics in living cells. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:11231-11245. [PMID: 32424038 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.012427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases, including neural fibrils, reactive oxygen species, and cofilin-actin rods, present numerous challenges in the development of in vivo diagnostic tools. Biomarkers such as β-amyloid (Aβ) fibrils and Tau tangles in Alzheimer's disease are accessible only via invasive cerebrospinal fluid assays, and reactive oxygen species can be fleeting and challenging to monitor in vivo Although remaining a challenge for in vivo detection, the protein-protein interactions underlying these disease-specific biomarkers present opportunities for the engineering of in vitro pathology-sensitive biosensors. These tools can be useful for investigating early stage events in neurodegenerative diseases in both cellular and animal models and may lead to clinically useful reagents. Here, we report a light- and cellular stress-gated protein switch based on cofilin-actin rod formation, occurring in stressed neurons in the Alzheimer's disease brain and following ischemia. By coupling the stress-sensitive cofilin-actin interaction with the light-responsive Cry2-CIB blue-light switch, referred to hereafter as the CofActor, we accomplished both light- and energetic/oxidative stress-gated control of this interaction. Site-directed mutagenesis of both cofilin and actin revealed residues critical for sustaining or abrogating the light- and stress-gated response. Of note, the switch response varied depending on whether cellular stress was generated via glycolytic inhibition or by both glycolytic inhibition and azide-induced ATP depletion. We also demonstrate light- and cellular stress-gated switch function in cultured hippocampal neurons. CofActor holds promise for the tracking of early stage events in neurodegeneration and for investigating actin's interactions with other proteins during cellular stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatema B Salem
- Department of Chemistry, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Wyatt P Bunner
- Department of Physical Therapy, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Vishwanath V Prabhu
- Department of Physical Therapy, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Abu-Bakarr Kuyateh
- Department of Chemistry, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Collin T O'Bryant
- Department of Chemistry, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alexander K Murashov
- Department of Physiology, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Erzsebet M Szatmari
- Department of Physical Therapy, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Robert M Hughes
- Department of Chemistry, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
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5
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Optogenetic control of cofilin and αTAT in living cells using Z-lock. Nat Chem Biol 2019; 15:1183-1190. [PMID: 31740825 PMCID: PMC6873228 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-019-0405-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Here we introduce Z-lock, an optogenetic approach for reversible, light-controlled steric inhibition of protein active sites. The LOV domain and Zdk, a small protein that binds LOV selectively in the dark, are appended to the protein of interest where they sterically block the active site. Irradiation causes LOV to change conformation and release Zdk, exposing the active site. Computer-assisted protein design was used to optimize linkers and Zdk-LOV affinity, for both effective binding in the dark, and effective light-induced release of the intramolecular interaction. Z-lock cofilin was shown to have actin severing ability in vitro, and in living cancer cells it produced protrusions and invadopodia. An active fragment of the tubulin acetylase αTAT was similarly modified and shown to acetylate tubulin upon irradiation.
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6
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O'Banion CP, Goswami A, Lawrence DS. Design, construction, and validation of optogenetic proteins. Methods Enzymol 2019; 621:171-190. [PMID: 31128778 PMCID: PMC7003698 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2019.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Cellular optogenetics employs light-regulated, genetically encoded protein actuators to perturb cellular signaling with unprecedented spatial and temporal control. Here, we present a potentially generalized approach for transforming a given protein of interest (POI) into an optogenetic species. We describe the rational and methods by which we developed three different optogenetic POIs utilizing the Cry2-Cib photodimerizing pair. The process pipeline is highlighted by (1) developing a low level, constitutively active POI that is independent of endogenous regulation, (2) fusion of the mutant protein of interest to an optogenetic photodimerizing system, and (3) light-mediated recruitment of the light-responsive POI to specific subcellular regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin P O'Banion
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Anwesha Goswami
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - David S Lawrence
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
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7
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Haar LL, Lawrence DS, Hughes RM. Optogenetic perturbation of the biochemical pathways that control cell behavior. Methods Enzymol 2019; 622:309-328. [PMID: 31155059 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2019.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Optogenetic tools provide a level of spatial and temporal resolution needed to shed new light on dynamic intercellular processes. In this chapter we outline specific protocols for applying these tools to cell motility (optogenetic cofilin), apoptosis [optogenetic Bcl-like protein 4 (Bax)], and protein kinase-mediated signaling pathways [optogenetic cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA)]. The activity of these optogenetic species is regulated by the light-mediated dimerization of a cryptochrome/Cib protein pair, which controls the intracellular positioning of the protein of interest. The light induced recruitment of cofilin to the cytoskeleton is utilized for directed migration studies and filopodial dynamics. Light-triggered migration of Bax to the outer mitochondrial membrane induces cellular collapse and eventual apoptosis. Finally, the light-mediated movement of PKA to specific intracellular compartments offers the means to assess the consequences of PKA activity in a site-specific fashion via phosphoproteomic analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren L Haar
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - David S Lawrence
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
| | - Robert M Hughes
- Department of Chemistry, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States.
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8
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Krishnamurthy VV, Zhang K. Chemical physics in living cells — Using light to visualize and control intracellular signal transduction. CHINESE J CHEM PHYS 2018. [DOI: 10.1063/1674-0068/31/cjcp1806152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vishnu V. Krishnamurthy
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
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9
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Ueda Y, Sato M. Induction of Signal Transduction by Using Non-Channelrhodopsin-Type Optogenetic Tools. Chembiochem 2018; 19:1217-1231. [PMID: 29577530 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201700635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Signal transductions are the basis for all cellular functions. Previous studies investigating signal transductions mainly relied on pharmacological inhibition, RNA interference, and constitutive active/dominant negative protein expression systems. However, such studies do not allow the modulation of protein activity with high spatial and temporal precision in cells, tissues, and organs in animals. Recently, non-channelrhodopsin-type optogenetic tools for regulating signal transduction have emerged. These photoswitches address several disadvantages of previous techniques, and allow us to control a variety of signal transductions such as cell membrane dynamics, calcium signaling, lipid signaling, and apoptosis. In this review we summarize recent advances in the development of such photoswitches and in how these optotools are applied to signaling processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshibumi Ueda
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan
- AMED-PRIME (Japan), Agency for Medical Research and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Moritoshi Sato
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan
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10
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O'Banion CP, Lawrence DS. Optogenetics: A Primer for Chemists. Chembiochem 2018; 19:1201-1216. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201800013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Colin P. O'Banion
- Department of Chemistry; Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry and; Department of Pharmacology; University of North Carolina; Chapel Hill NC 27599 USA
| | - David S. Lawrence
- Department of Chemistry; Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry and; Department of Pharmacology; University of North Carolina; Chapel Hill NC 27599 USA
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11
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O'Banion CP, Priestman MA, Hughes RM, Herring LE, Capuzzi SJ, Lawrence DS. Design and Profiling of a Subcellular Targeted Optogenetic cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase. Cell Chem Biol 2018; 25:100-109.e8. [PMID: 29104065 PMCID: PMC5777159 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2017.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Although the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is ubiquitously expressed, it is sequestered at specific subcellular locations throughout the cell, thereby resulting in compartmentalized cellular signaling that triggers site-specific behavioral phenotypes. We developed a three-step engineering strategy to construct an optogenetic PKA (optoPKA) and demonstrated that, upon illumination, optoPKA migrates to specified intracellular sites. Furthermore, we designed intracellular spatially segregated reporters of PKA activity and confirmed that optoPKA phosphorylates these reporters in a light-dependent fashion. Finally, proteomics experiments reveal that light activation of optoPKA results in the phosphorylation of known endogenous PKA substrates as well as potential novel substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin P O'Banion
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Melanie A Priestman
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Robert M Hughes
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Chemistry; East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Laura E Herring
- UNC Proteomics Core, Department of Pharmacology, UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Stephen J Capuzzi
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - David S Lawrence
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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12
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Mosabbir AA, Truong K. Light directed migration of a cluster of cells in the centimeter scale. Small GTPases 2017; 11:301-307. [PMID: 29173049 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2017.1396390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein-based systems for light directed migration of cells have been demonstrated up to distances of several hundred microns, but larger distances in the centimeter scale would allow new possible applications. Light activated migration in mammalian cells can be achieved by cells expressing channelrhodopsin-2 and an engineered Ca2+ sensitive Rac1 protein called RACer. In this study, light was used to induce wound healing, localize cells into a region of interest, and move cells over centimeter scale distances. Given the spatially complex organization of different types of cells in real tissue, light directed migration over the centimeter scale could potentially organize cell type arrangement to help develop more realistic tissues for transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Al Mosabbir
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kevin Truong
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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13
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Kolar K, Weber W. Synthetic biological approaches to optogenetically control cell signaling. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2017; 47:112-119. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2017.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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14
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Hughes RM, Marvin CM, Rodgers ZL, Ding S, Oien NP, Smith WJ, Lawrence DS. Phototriggered Secretion of Membrane Compartmentalized Bioactive Agents. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201609731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert M. Hughes
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, and Department of Pharmacology; University of North Carolina; Chapel Hill NC 27599 USA
- Current address: Department of Chemistry, 300 Science & Technology Building; East Carolina University; Greenville NC 27858 USA
| | - Christina M. Marvin
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, and Department of Pharmacology; University of North Carolina; Chapel Hill NC 27599 USA
| | - Zachary L. Rodgers
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, and Department of Pharmacology; University of North Carolina; Chapel Hill NC 27599 USA
- Current address: Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Department of Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy; University of North Carolina; Chapel Hill NC 27599 USA
| | - Song Ding
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, and Department of Pharmacology; University of North Carolina; Chapel Hill NC 27599 USA
| | - Nathan P. Oien
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, and Department of Pharmacology; University of North Carolina; Chapel Hill NC 27599 USA
- Current address: KBI Biopharma; 1101 Hamlin Rd Durham NC 27704 USA
| | - Weston J. Smith
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, and Department of Pharmacology; University of North Carolina; Chapel Hill NC 27599 USA
- Current address: Skaggs School of Pharmacy; University of Colorado; 12850 E. Montview Blvd Aurora CO 80045 USA
| | - David S. Lawrence
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, and Department of Pharmacology; University of North Carolina; Chapel Hill NC 27599 USA
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15
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Hughes RM, Marvin CM, Rodgers ZL, Ding S, Oien NP, Smith WJ, Lawrence DS. Phototriggered Secretion of Membrane Compartmentalized Bioactive Agents. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2016; 55:16080-16083. [PMID: 27874260 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201609731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
A strategy for the light-activated release of bioactive compounds (BODIPY, colchicine, paclitaxel, and methotrexate) from membrane-enclosed depots is described. We have found that membrane-permeable bioagents can be rendered membrane impermeable by covalent attachment to cobalamin (Cbl) through a photocleavable linker. These Cbl-bioagent conjugates are imprisoned within lipid-enclosed compartments in the dark, as exemplified by their retention in the interior of erythrocytes. Subsequent illumination drives the secretion of the bioactive species from red blood cells. Photorelease is triggered by wavelengths in the red, far-red, and near-IR regions, which can be pre-assigned by affixing a fluorophore with the desired excitation wavelength to the Cbl-bioagent conjugate. Pre-assigned wavelengths allow different biologically active compounds to be specifically and unambiguously photoreleased from common carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M Hughes
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, and Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.,Current address: Department of Chemistry, 300 Science & Technology Building, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Christina M Marvin
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, and Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Zachary L Rodgers
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, and Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.,Current address: Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Department of Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Song Ding
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, and Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Nathan P Oien
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, and Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.,Current address: KBI Biopharma, 1101 Hamlin Rd, Durham, NC, 27704, USA
| | - Weston J Smith
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, and Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.,Current address: Skaggs School of Pharmacy, University of Colorado, 12850 E. Montview Blvd, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - David S Lawrence
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, and Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
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16
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Hughes RM, Freeman DJ, Lamb KN, Pollet RM, Smith WJ, Lawrence DS. Optogenetic apoptosis: light-triggered cell death. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2015; 54:12064-8. [PMID: 26418181 PMCID: PMC4819321 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201506346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Revised: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
An optogenetic Bax has been designed that facilitates light-induced apoptosis. We demonstrate that mitochondrial recruitment of a genetically encoded light-responsive Bax results in the release of mitochondrial proteins, downstream caspase-3 cleavage, changes in cellular morphology, and ultimately cell death. Mutagenesis of a key phosphorylatable residue or modification of the C-terminus mitigates background (dark) levels of apoptosis that result from Bax overexpression. The mechanism of optogenetic Bax-mediated apoptosis was explored using a series of small molecules known to interfere with various steps in programmed cell death. Optogenetic Bax appears to form a mitochondrial apoptosis-induced channel analogous to that of endogenous Bax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M Hughes
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 (USA).
| | - David J Freeman
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 (USA)
| | - Kelsey N Lamb
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 (USA)
| | - Rebecca M Pollet
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 (USA)
| | - Weston J Smith
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 (USA)
| | - David S Lawrence
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 (USA).
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17
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Hughes RM, Freeman DJ, Lamb KN, Pollet RM, Smith WJ, Lawrence DS. Optogenetic Apoptosis: Light-Triggered Cell Death. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201506346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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18
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O'Neill PR, Gautam N. Optimizing optogenetic constructs for control over signaling and cell behaviours. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2015; 14:1578-85. [PMID: 26135203 DOI: 10.1039/c5pp00171d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Optogenetic tools have recently been developed that enable dynamic control over the activities of select signaling proteins. They provide the unique ability to rapidly turn signaling events on or off with subcellular control in living cells and organisms. This capability is leading to new insights into how the spatial and temporal coordination of signaling events governs dynamic cell behaviours such as migration and neurite outgrowth. These tools can also be used to dissect a protein's signaling functions at different organelles. Here we review the properties of photoreceptors from diverse organisms that have been leveraged to control signaling in mammalian cells. We emphasize recent engineering approaches that have been used to create optogenetic constructs with optimized spectral, kinetic, and signaling properties for controlling cell behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- P R O'Neill
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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19
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan W Miller
- Department of Chemistry, at University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
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