1
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Chi G, Liang Q, Sridhar A, Cowgill JB, Sader K, Radjainia M, Qian P, Castro-Hartmann P, Venkaya S, Singh NK, McKinley G, Fernandez-Cid A, Mukhopadhyay SMM, Burgess-Brown NA, Delemotte L, Covarrubias M, Dürr KL. Cryo-EM structure of the human Kv3.1 channel reveals gating control by the cytoplasmic T1 domain. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4087. [PMID: 35840580 PMCID: PMC9287412 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29594-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Kv3 channels have distinctive gating kinetics tailored for rapid repolarization in fast-spiking neurons. Malfunction of this process due to genetic variants in the KCNC1 gene causes severe epileptic disorders, yet the structural determinants for the unusual gating properties remain elusive. Here, we present cryo-electron microscopy structures of the human Kv3.1a channel, revealing a unique arrangement of the cytoplasmic tetramerization domain T1 which facilitates interactions with C-terminal axonal targeting motif and key components of the gating machinery. Additional interactions between S1/S2 linker and turret domain strengthen the interface between voltage sensor and pore domain. Supported by molecular dynamics simulations, electrophysiological and mutational analyses, we identify several residues in the S4/S5 linker which influence the gating kinetics and an electrostatic interaction between acidic residues in α6 of T1 and R449 in the pore-flanking S6T helices. These findings provide insights into gating control and disease mechanisms and may guide strategies for the design of pharmaceutical drugs targeting Kv3 channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamma Chi
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Qiansheng Liang
- Department of Neuroscience and Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, UK
| | - Akshay Sridhar
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH, Solna, Sweden
| | - John B Cowgill
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH, Solna, Sweden
| | - Kasim Sader
- Materials and Structural Analysis, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Achtseweg Noord 5, 5651 GG, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Mazdak Radjainia
- Materials and Structural Analysis, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Achtseweg Noord 5, 5651 GG, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Pu Qian
- Materials and Structural Analysis, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Achtseweg Noord 5, 5651 GG, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Pablo Castro-Hartmann
- Materials and Structural Analysis, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Achtseweg Noord 5, 5651 GG, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Shayla Venkaya
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
- Exscientia Ltd., The Schrödinger Building, Heatley Road, The Oxford Science Park, Oxford, OX4 4GE, UK
| | - Nanki Kaur Singh
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Gavin McKinley
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Alejandra Fernandez-Cid
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
- Exact Sciences Ltd., The Sherard Building, Edmund Halley Road, The Oxford Science Park, Oxford, OX4 4DQ, UK
| | - Shubhashish M M Mukhopadhyay
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
- Exscientia Ltd., The Schrödinger Building, Heatley Road, The Oxford Science Park, Oxford, OX4 4GE, UK
| | - Nicola A Burgess-Brown
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
- Exact Sciences Ltd., The Sherard Building, Edmund Halley Road, The Oxford Science Park, Oxford, OX4 4DQ, UK
| | - Lucie Delemotte
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH, Solna, Sweden
| | - Manuel Covarrubias
- Department of Neuroscience and Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, UK
| | - Katharina L Dürr
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK.
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK.
- OMass Therapeutics, Ltd., The Schrödinger Building, Heatley Road, The Oxford Science Park, Oxford, OX4 4GE, UK.
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2
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Kim H, Choi G, Suk ME, Kim TJ. Resource for FRET-Based Biosensor Optimization. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:885394. [PMID: 35794864 PMCID: PMC9251444 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.885394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
After the development of Cameleon, the first fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based calcium indicator, a variety of FRET-based genetically encoded biosensors (GEBs) have visualized numerous target players to monitor their cell physiological dynamics spatiotemporally. Many attempts have been made to optimize GEBs, which require labor-intensive effort, novel approaches, and precedents to develop more sensitive and versatile biosensors. However, researchers face considerable trial and error in upgrading biosensors because examples and methods of improving FRET-based GEBs are not well documented. In this review, we organize various optimization strategies after assembling the existing cases in which the non-fluorescent components of biosensors are upgraded. In addition, promising areas to which optimized biosensors can be applied are briefly discussed. Therefore, this review could serve as a resource for researchers attempting FRET-based GEB optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heonsu Kim
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Gyuho Choi
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Myung Eun Suk
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, IT Convergence College of Materials and Components Engineering, Dong-Eui University, Busan, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Myung Eun Suk, ; Tae-Jin Kim,
| | - Tae-Jin Kim
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea
- Department of Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Myung Eun Suk, ; Tae-Jin Kim,
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3
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Pedrosa R, Song C, Knöpfel T, Battaglia F. Combining Cortical Voltage Imaging and Hippocampal Electrophysiology for Investigating Global, Multi-Timescale Activity Interactions in the Brain. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126814. [PMID: 35743257 PMCID: PMC9224488 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A new generation of optogenetic tools for analyzing neural activity has been contributing to the elucidation of classical open questions in neuroscience. Specifically, voltage imaging technologies using enhanced genetically encoded voltage indicators have been increasingly used to observe the dynamics of large circuits at the mesoscale. Here, we describe how to combine cortical wide-field voltage imaging with hippocampal electrophysiology in awake, behaving mice. Furthermore, we highlight how this method can be useful for different possible investigations, using the characterization of hippocampal–neocortical interactions as a case study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Pedrosa
- Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, 6525AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
- Correspondence: (R.P.); (T.K.)
| | - Chenchen Song
- Laboratory for Neuronal Circuit Dynamics, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK;
| | - Thomas Knöpfel
- Laboratory for Neuronal Circuit Dynamics, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK;
- Correspondence: (R.P.); (T.K.)
| | - Francesco Battaglia
- Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, 6525AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
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4
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Mollinedo-Gajate I, Song C, Knöpfel T. Genetically Encoded Voltage Indicators. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1293:209-224. [PMID: 33398815 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-15-8763-4_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetic approaches combine the power to allocate optogenetic tools (proteins) to specific cell populations (defined genetically or functionally) and the use of light-based interfaces between biological wetware (cells and tissues) and hardware (controllers and recorders). The optogenetic toolbox contains two main compartments: tools to interfere with cellular processes and tools to monitor cellular events. Among the latter are genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs). This chapter outlines the development, current state of the art and prospects of emerging optical GEVI imaging technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chenchen Song
- Laboratory for Neuronal Circuit Dynamics, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Thomas Knöpfel
- Laboratory for Neuronal Circuit Dynamics, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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5
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Monakhov MV, Matlashov ME, Colavita M, Song C, Shcherbakova DM, Antic SD, Verkhusha VV, Knöpfel T. Screening and Cellular Characterization of Genetically Encoded Voltage Indicators Based on Near-Infrared Fluorescent Proteins. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:3523-3531. [PMID: 33063984 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
We developed genetically encoded voltage indicators using a transmembrane voltage-sensing domain and bright near-infrared fluorescent proteins derived from bacterial phytochromes. These new voltage indicators are excited by 640 nm light and emission is measured at 670 nm, allowing imaging in the near-infrared tissue transparency window. The spectral properties of our new indicators permit seamless voltage imaging with simultaneous blue-green light optogenetic actuator activation as well as simultaneous voltage-calcium imaging when paired with green calcium indicators. Iterative optimizations led to a fluorescent probe, here termed nirButterfly, which reliably reports neuronal activities including subthreshold membrane potential depolarization and hyperpolarization as well as spontaneous spiking or electrically- and optogenetically evoked action potentials. This enables largely improved all-optical causal interrogations of physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail V Monakhov
- Institute for Systems Genomics, Stem Cell Institute, Department of Neuroscience, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut 06030, United States
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology and Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, United States
| | - Mikhail E Matlashov
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology and Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, United States
| | - Michelangelo Colavita
- Laboratory for Neuronal Circuit Dynamics, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, U.K
| | - Chenchen Song
- Laboratory for Neuronal Circuit Dynamics, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, U.K
| | - Daria M Shcherbakova
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology and Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, United States
| | - Srdjan D Antic
- Institute for Systems Genomics, Stem Cell Institute, Department of Neuroscience, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut 06030, United States
| | - Vladislav V Verkhusha
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology and Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, United States
| | - Thomas Knöpfel
- Laboratory for Neuronal Circuit Dynamics, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, U.K
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6
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Sahu ID, Dixit G, Reynolds WD, Kaplevatsky R, Harding BD, Jaycox CK, McCarrick RM, Lorigan GA. Characterization of the Human KCNQ1 Voltage Sensing Domain (VSD) in Lipodisq Nanoparticles for Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Spectroscopic Studies of Membrane Proteins. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:2331-2342. [PMID: 32130007 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.9b11506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Membrane proteins are responsible for conducting essential biological functions that are necessary for the survival of living organisms. In spite of their physiological importance, limited structural information is currently available as a result of challenges in applying biophysical techniques for studying these protein systems. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is a very powerful technique to study the structural and dynamic properties of membrane proteins. However, the application of EPR spectroscopy to membrane proteins in a native membrane-bound state is extremely challenging due to the complexity observed in inhomogeneity sample preparation and the dynamic motion of the spin label. Detergent micelles are very popular membrane mimetics for membrane proteins due to their smaller size and homogeneity, providing high-resolution structure analysis by solution NMR spectroscopy. However, it is important to test whether the protein structure in a micelle environment is the same as that of its membrane-bound state. Lipodisq nanoparticles or styrene-maleic acid copolymer-lipid nanoparticles (SMALPs) have been introduced as a potentially good membrane-mimetic system for structural studies of membrane proteins. Recently, we reported on the EPR characterization of the KCNE1 membrane protein having a single transmembrane incorporated into lipodisq nanoparticles. In this work, lipodisq nanoparticles were used as a membrane mimic system for probing the structural and dynamic properties of the more complicated membrane protein system human KCNQ1 voltage sensing domain (Q1-VSD) having four transmembrane helices using site-directed spin-labeling EPR spectroscopy. Characterization of spin-labeled Q1-VSD incorporated into lipodisq nanoparticles was carried out using CW-EPR spectral line shape analysis and pulsed EPR double-electron electron resonance (DEER) measurements. The CW-EPR spectra indicate an increase in spectral line broadening with the addition of the styrene-maleic acid (SMA) polymer which approaches close to the rigid limit providing a homogeneous stabilization of the protein-lipid complex. Similarly, EPR DEER measurements indicated a superior quality of distance measurement with an increase in the phase memory time (Tm) values upon incorporation of the sample into lipodisq nanoparticles when compared to proteoliposomes. These results are consistent with the solution NMR structural studies on the Q1-VSD. This study will be beneficial for researchers working on investigating the structural and dynamic properties of more complicated membrane protein systems using lipodisq nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indra D Sahu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056, United States.,Natural Science Division, Campbellsville University, Campbellsville, Kentucky 42718, United States
| | - Gunjan Dixit
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056, United States
| | - Warren D Reynolds
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056, United States
| | - Ryan Kaplevatsky
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056, United States
| | - Benjamin D Harding
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056, United States
| | - Colleen K Jaycox
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056, United States
| | - Robert M McCarrick
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056, United States
| | - Gary A Lorigan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056, United States
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7
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Penzkofer A, Silapetere A, Hegemann P. Absorption and Emission Spectroscopic Investigation of the Thermal Dynamics of the Archaerhodopsin 3 Based Fluorescent Voltage Sensor QuasAr1. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E4086. [PMID: 31438573 PMCID: PMC6747118 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20174086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
QuasAr1 is a fluorescent voltage sensor derived from Archaerhodopsin 3 (Arch) of Halorubrum sodomense by directed evolution. Here we report absorption and emission spectroscopic studies of QuasAr1 in Tris buffer at pH 8. Absorption cross-section spectra, fluorescence quantum distributions, fluorescence quantum yields, and fluorescence excitation spectra were determined. The thermal stability of QuasAr1 was studied by long-time attenuation coefficient measurements at room temperature (23 ± 2 °C) and at 2.5 ± 0.5 °C. The apparent melting temperature was determined by stepwise sample heating up and cooling down (obtained apparent melting temperature: 65 ± 3 °C). In the protein melting process the originally present protonated retinal Schiff base (PRSB) with absorption maximum at 580 nm converted to de-protonated retinal Schiff base (RSB) with absorption maximum at 380 nm. Long-time storage of QuasAr1 at temperatures around 2.5 °C and around 23 °C caused gradual protonated retinal Schiff base isomer changes to other isomer conformations, de-protonation to retinal Schiff base isomers, and apoprotein structure changes showing up in ultraviolet absorption increase. Reaction coordinate schemes are presented for the thermal protonated retinal Schiff base isomerizations and deprotonations in parallel with the dynamic apoprotein restructurings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfons Penzkofer
- Fakultät für Physik, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Arita Silapetere
- Experimentelle Biophysik, Institut für Biologie, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstraße 42, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Hegemann
- Experimentelle Biophysik, Institut für Biologie, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstraße 42, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
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8
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Abstract
Fluorescent probes that indicate biologically important quantities are widely used for many different types of biological experiments across life sciences. During recent years, limitations of small molecule-based indicators have been overcome by the development of genetically encoded indicators. Here we focus on fluorescent calcium and voltage indicators and point to their applications mainly in neurosciences.
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9
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Greenwald EC, Mehta S, Zhang J. Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Biosensors Illuminate the Spatiotemporal Regulation of Signaling Networks. Chem Rev 2018; 118:11707-11794. [PMID: 30550275 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.8b00333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 295] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cellular signaling networks are the foundation which determines the fate and function of cells as they respond to various cues and stimuli. The discovery of fluorescent proteins over 25 years ago enabled the development of a diverse array of genetically encodable fluorescent biosensors that are capable of measuring the spatiotemporal dynamics of signal transduction pathways in live cells. In an effort to encapsulate the breadth over which fluorescent biosensors have expanded, we endeavored to assemble a comprehensive list of published engineered biosensors, and we discuss many of the molecular designs utilized in their development. Then, we review how the high temporal and spatial resolution afforded by fluorescent biosensors has aided our understanding of the spatiotemporal regulation of signaling networks at the cellular and subcellular level. Finally, we highlight some emerging areas of research in both biosensor design and applications that are on the forefront of biosensor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric C Greenwald
- University of California , San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, BRFII , La Jolla , CA 92093-0702 , United States
| | - Sohum Mehta
- University of California , San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, BRFII , La Jolla , CA 92093-0702 , United States
| | - Jin Zhang
- University of California , San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, BRFII , La Jolla , CA 92093-0702 , United States
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10
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Abstract
Fluorescent protein-based biosensors are indispensable molecular tools for life science research. The invention and development of high-fidelity biosensors for a particular molecule or molecular event often catalyze important scientific breakthroughs. Understanding the structural and functional organization of brain activities remain a subject for which optical sensors are in desperate need and of growing interest. Here, we review genetically encoded fluorescent sensors for imaging neuronal activities with a focus on the design principles and optimizations of various sensors. New bioluminescent sensors useful for deep-tissue imaging are also discussed. By highlighting the protein engineering efforts and experimental applications of these sensors, we can consequently analyze factors influencing their performance. Finally, we remark on how future developments can fill technological gaps and lead to new discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijie Chen
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, QB3, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Tan M. Truong
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, and Biomedical Sciences (BIMS) Graduate Program, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Hui-wang Ai
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, and Biomedical Sciences (BIMS) Graduate Program, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- Correspondence:
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11
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12
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Kost LA, Nikitin ES, Ivanova VO, Sung U, Putintseva EV, Chudakov DM, Balaban PM, Lukyanov KA, Bogdanov AM. Insertion of the voltage-sensitive domain into circularly permuted red fluorescent protein as a design for genetically encoded voltage sensor. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184225. [PMID: 28863184 PMCID: PMC5580962 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Visualization of electrical activity in living cells represents an important challenge in context of basic neurophysiological studies. Here we report a new voltage sensitive fluorescent indicator which response could be detected by fluorescence monitoring in a single red channel. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first fluorescent protein-based voltage sensor which uses insertion-into-circular permutant topology to provide an efficient interaction between sensitive and reporter domains. Its fluorescent core originates from red fluorescent protein (FP) FusionRed, which has optimal spectral characteristics to be used in whole body imaging techniques. Indicators using the same domain topology could become a new perspective for the FP-based voltage sensors that are traditionally based on Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET).
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Affiliation(s)
- Liubov A. Kost
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Evgeny S. Nikitin
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Violetta O. Ivanova
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Uhna Sung
- Center for Functional Connectomics, Korea Institute of Science & Technology, Seoul, Korea
| | | | - Dmitry M. Chudakov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Pavel M. Balaban
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Konstantin A. Lukyanov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Nizhny Novgorod State Medical Academy, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Alexey M. Bogdanov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Nizhny Novgorod State Medical Academy, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
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13
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Chamberland S, Yang HH, Pan MM, Evans SW, Guan S, Chavarha M, Yang Y, Salesse C, Wu H, Wu JC, Clandinin TR, Toth K, Lin MZ, St-Pierre F. Fast two-photon imaging of subcellular voltage dynamics in neuronal tissue with genetically encoded indicators. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28749338 PMCID: PMC5584994 DOI: 10.7554/elife.25690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Monitoring voltage dynamics in defined neurons deep in the brain is critical for unraveling the function of neuronal circuits but is challenging due to the limited performance of existing tools. In particular, while genetically encoded voltage indicators have shown promise for optical detection of voltage transients, many indicators exhibit low sensitivity when imaged under two-photon illumination. Previous studies thus fell short of visualizing voltage dynamics in individual neurons in single trials. Here, we report ASAP2s, a novel voltage indicator with improved sensitivity. By imaging ASAP2s using random-access multi-photon microscopy, we demonstrate robust single-trial detection of action potentials in organotypic slice cultures. We also show that ASAP2s enables two-photon imaging of graded potentials in organotypic slice cultures and in Drosophila. These results demonstrate that the combination of ASAP2s and fast two-photon imaging methods enables detection of neural electrical activity with subcellular spatial resolution and millisecond-timescale precision. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.25690.001
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Chamberland
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Quebec Mental Health Institute, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Helen H Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, United States
| | - Michael M Pan
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, United States
| | - Stephen W Evans
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, United States
| | - Sihui Guan
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Mariya Chavarha
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, United States
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, United States
| | - Charleen Salesse
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Quebec Mental Health Institute, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Haodi Wu
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, United States
| | - Joseph C Wu
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, United States
| | - Thomas R Clandinin
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, United States
| | - Katalin Toth
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Quebec Mental Health Institute, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Michael Z Lin
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, United States
| | - François St-Pierre
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
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14
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Genetically encoded indicators of neuronal activity. Nat Neurosci 2017; 19:1142-53. [PMID: 27571193 DOI: 10.1038/nn.4359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 392] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Experimental efforts to understand how the brain represents, stores and processes information require high-fidelity recordings of multiple different forms of neural activity within functional circuits. Thus, creating improved technologies for large-scale recordings of neural activity in the live brain is a crucial goal in neuroscience. Over the past two decades, the combination of optical microscopy and genetically encoded fluorescent indicators has become a widespread means of recording neural activity in nonmammalian and mammalian nervous systems, transforming brain research in the process. In this review, we describe and assess different classes of fluorescent protein indicators of neural activity. We first discuss general considerations in optical imaging and then present salient characteristics of representative indicators. Our focus is on how indicator characteristics relate to their use in living animals and on likely areas of future progress.
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Platisa J, Vasan G, Yang A, Pieribone VA. Directed Evolution of Key Residues in Fluorescent Protein Inverses the Polarity of Voltage Sensitivity in the Genetically Encoded Indicator ArcLight. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:513-523. [PMID: 28045247 PMCID: PMC5355904 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.6b00234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
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Genetically encoded
calcium indicators (GECIs) produce unprecedentedly
large signals that have enabled routine optical recording of single
neuron activity in vivo in rodent brain. Genetically encoded voltage
indicators (GEVIs) offer a more direct measure of neuronal electrical
status, however the signal-to-noise characteristics and signal polarity
of the probes developed to date have precluded routine use in vivo.
We applied directed evolution to target modulable areas of the fluorescent
protein in GEVI ArcLight to create the first GFP-based GEVI (Marina)
that exhibits a ΔF/ΔV with a positive slope relationship. We found that only three rounds
of site-directed mutagenesis produced a family of “brightening”
GEVIs with voltage sensitivities comparable to that seen in the parent
probe ArcLight. This shift in signal polarity is an essential first
step to producing voltage indicators with signal-to-noise characteristics
comparable to GECIs to support widespread use in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Platisa
- The John B. Pierce Laboratory, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut 06519, United States
| | - Ganesh Vasan
- The John B. Pierce Laboratory, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut 06519, United States
| | - Amy Yang
- The John B. Pierce Laboratory, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut 06519, United States
| | - Vincent A. Pieribone
- The John B. Pierce Laboratory, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut 06519, United States
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16
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Genetically Encoded Voltage Indicators: Opportunities and Challenges. J Neurosci 2016; 36:9977-89. [PMID: 27683896 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1095-16.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED A longstanding goal in neuroscience is to understand how spatiotemporal patterns of neuronal electrical activity underlie brain function, from sensory representations to decision making. An emerging technology for monitoring electrical dynamics, voltage imaging using genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs), couples the power of genetics with the advantages of light. Here, we review the properties that determine indicator performance and applicability, discussing both recent progress and technical limitations. We then consider GEVI applications, highlighting studies that have already deployed GEVIs for biological discovery. We also examine which classes of biological questions GEVIs are primed to address and which ones are beyond their current capabilities. As GEVIs are further developed, we anticipate that they will become more broadly used by the neuroscience community to eavesdrop on brain activity with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Genetically encoded voltage indicators are engineered light-emitting protein sensors that typically report neuronal voltage dynamics as changes in brightness. In this review, we systematically discuss the current state of this emerging method, considering both its advantages and limitations for imaging neural activity. We also present recent applications of this technology and discuss what is feasible now and what we anticipate will become possible with future indicator development. This review will inform neuroscientists of recent progress in the field and help potential users critically evaluate the suitability of genetically encoded voltage indicator imaging to answer their specific biological questions.
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17
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Grafting voltage and pharmacological sensitivity in potassium channels. Cell Res 2016; 26:935-45. [PMID: 27174053 DOI: 10.1038/cr.2016.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Revised: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
A classical voltage-gated ion channel consists of four voltage-sensing domains (VSDs). However, the roles of each VSD in the channels remain elusive. We developed a GVTDT (Graft VSD To Dimeric TASK3 channels that lack endogenous VSDs) strategy to produce voltage-gated channels with a reduced number of VSDs. TASK3 channels exhibit a high host tolerance to VSDs of various voltage-gated ion channels without interfering with the intrinsic properties of the TASK3 selectivity filter. The constructed channels, exemplified by the channels grafted with one or two VSDs from Kv7.1 channels, exhibit classical voltage sensitivity, including voltage-dependent opening and closing. Furthermore, the grafted Kv7.1 VSD transfers the potentiation activity of benzbromarone, an activator that acts on the VSDs of the donor channels, to the constructed channels. Our study indicates that one VSD is sufficient to voltage-dependently gate the pore and provides new insight into the roles of VSDs.
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18
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Design and development of genetically encoded fluorescent sensors to monitor intracellular chemical and physical parameters. Biophys Rev 2016; 8:121-138. [PMID: 28510054 PMCID: PMC4884202 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-016-0195-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades many researchers have made major contributions towards the development of genetically encoded (GE) fluorescent sensors derived from fluorescent proteins. GE sensors are now used to study biological phenomena by facilitating the measurement of biochemical behaviors at various scales, ranging from single molecules to single cells or even whole animals. Here, we review the historical development of GE fluorescent sensors and report on their current status. We specifically focus on the development strategies of the GE sensors used for measuring pH, ion concentrations (e.g., chloride and calcium), redox indicators, membrane potential, temperature, pressure, and molecular crowding. We demonstrate that these fluroescent protein-based sensors have a shared history of concepts and development strategies, and we highlight the most original concepts used to date. We believe that the understanding and application of these various concepts will pave the road for the development of future GE sensors and lead to new breakthroughs in bioimaging.
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19
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Antic SD, Empson RM, Knöpfel T. Voltage imaging to understand connections and functions of neuronal circuits. J Neurophysiol 2016; 116:135-52. [PMID: 27075539 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00226.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding of the cellular mechanisms underlying brain functions such as cognition and emotions requires monitoring of membrane voltage at the cellular, circuit, and system levels. Seminal voltage-sensitive dye and calcium-sensitive dye imaging studies have demonstrated parallel detection of electrical activity across populations of interconnected neurons in a variety of preparations. A game-changing advance made in recent years has been the conceptualization and development of optogenetic tools, including genetically encoded indicators of voltage (GEVIs) or calcium (GECIs) and genetically encoded light-gated ion channels (actuators, e.g., channelrhodopsin2). Compared with low-molecular-weight calcium and voltage indicators (dyes), the optogenetic imaging approaches are 1) cell type specific, 2) less invasive, 3) able to relate activity and anatomy, and 4) facilitate long-term recordings of individual cells' activities over weeks, thereby allowing direct monitoring of the emergence of learned behaviors and underlying circuit mechanisms. We highlight the potential of novel approaches based on GEVIs and compare those to calcium imaging approaches. We also discuss how novel approaches based on GEVIs (and GECIs) coupled with genetically encoded actuators will promote progress in our knowledge of brain circuits and systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srdjan D Antic
- Stem Cell Institute, Institute for Systems Genomics, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Ruth M Empson
- Department of Physiology, Brain Research New Zealand, Otago School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; and
| | - Thomas Knöpfel
- Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine and Centre for Neurotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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20
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Knöpfel T, Gallero-Salas Y, Song C. Genetically encoded voltage indicators for large scale cortical imaging come of age. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2015; 27:75-83. [PMID: 26115448 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2015.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2015] [Revised: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Electrical signals are fundamental to cellular sensing, communication and motility. In the nervous system, information is represented as receptor, synaptic and action potentials. Understanding how brain functions emerge from these electrical signals is one of the ultimate challenges in neuroscience and requires a methodology to monitor membrane voltage transients from large numbers of cells at high spatio-temporal resolution. Optical voltage imaging holds longstanding promises to achieve this, and has gained a fresh powerful momentum with the development of genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs). With a focus on neuroimaging studies on intact mouse brains, we highlight recent advances in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Knöpfel
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom.
| | - Yasir Gallero-Salas
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom
| | - Chenchen Song
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom
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21
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St-Pierre F, Chavarha M, Lin MZ. Designs and sensing mechanisms of genetically encoded fluorescent voltage indicators. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2015; 27:31-8. [PMID: 26079047 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2015.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Neurons tightly regulate the electrical potential difference across the plasma membrane with millivolt accuracy and millisecond resolution. Membrane voltage dynamics underlie the generation of an impulse, the transduction of impulses from one end of the neuron to the other, and the release of neurotransmitters. Imaging these voltage dynamics in multiple neurons simultaneously is therefore crucial for understanding how neurons function together within circuits in intact brains. Genetically encoded fluorescent voltage sensors have long been desired to report voltage in defined subsets of neurons with optical readout. In this review, we discuss the diverse strategies used to design and optimize protein-based voltage sensors, and highlight the chemical mechanisms by which different classes of reporters sense voltage. To guide neuroscientists in choosing an appropriate sensor for their applications, we also describe operating trade-offs of each class of voltage indicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- François St-Pierre
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mariya Chavarha
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michael Z Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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22
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Akemann W, Song C, Mutoh H, Knöpfel T. Route to genetically targeted optical electrophysiology: development and applications of voltage-sensitive fluorescent proteins. NEUROPHOTONICS 2015; 2:021008. [PMID: 26082930 PMCID: PMC4465821 DOI: 10.1117/1.nph.2.2.021008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2014] [Accepted: 12/11/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The invention of membrane voltage protein indicators widens the reach of optical voltage imaging in cell physiology, most notably neurophysiology, by enabling membrane voltage recordings from genetically defined cell types in chronic and life-long preparations. While the last years have seen a dramatic improvement in the technical performance of these indicators, concomitant innovations in optogenetics, optical axon tracing, and high-speed digital microscopy are beginning to fulfill the age-old vision of an all-optical analysis of neuronal circuits, reaching beyond the limits of traditional electrode-based recordings. We will present our personal account of the development of protein voltage indicators from the pioneering days to the present state, including their applications in neurophysiology that has inspired our own work for more than a decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walther Akemann
- Imperial College London, Department of Medicine, London W12 ONN, United Kingdom
- Institute of Biology, CNRS UMR 8197, École Normale Supérieure, 46 rue d’Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Chenchen Song
- Imperial College London, Department of Medicine, London W12 ONN, United Kingdom
| | - Hiroki Mutoh
- Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Department of Neurophysiology, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan
| | - Thomas Knöpfel
- Imperial College London, Department of Medicine, London W12 ONN, United Kingdom
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23
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Kim S, Rahman MM, Noh K, Lee JJ, Kim YJ. Investigating the Regulatory Interaction of Linker Region of Ciona intestinalis Voltage-sensitive Phosphatase with Lipid Membrane. B KOREAN CHEM SOC 2014. [DOI: 10.5012/bkcs.2014.35.11.3389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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24
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Palovcak E, Delemotte L, Klein ML, Carnevale V. Evolutionary imprint of activation: the design principles of VSDs. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 143:145-56. [PMID: 24470486 PMCID: PMC4001776 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201311103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Voltage-sensor domains (VSDs) are modular biomolecular machines that transduce electrical signals in cells through a highly conserved activation mechanism. Here, we investigate sequence-function relationships in VSDs with approaches from information theory and probabilistic modeling. Specifically, we collect over 6,600 unique VSD sequences from diverse, long-diverged phylogenetic lineages and relate the statistical properties of this ensemble to functional constraints imposed by evolution. The VSD is a helical bundle with helices labeled S1-S4. Surrounding conserved VSD residues such as the countercharges and the S2 phenylalanine, we discover sparse networks of coevolving residues. Additional networks are found lining the VSD lumen, tuning the local hydrophilicity. Notably, state-dependent contacts and the absence of coevolution between S4 and the rest of the bundle are imprints of the activation mechanism on the VSD sequence ensemble. These design principles rationalize existing experimental results and generate testable hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Palovcak
- Institute for Computational Molecular Science, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122
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25
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilman E S Toombes
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics Section, Porter Neuroscience Research Center, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
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26
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Mishina Y, Mutoh H, Song C, Knöpfel T. Exploration of genetically encoded voltage indicators based on a chimeric voltage sensing domain. Front Mol Neurosci 2014; 7:78. [PMID: 25324718 PMCID: PMC4179510 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2014.00078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 09/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Deciphering how the brain generates cognitive function from patterns of electrical signals is one of the ultimate challenges in neuroscience. To this end, it would be highly desirable to monitor the activities of very large numbers of neurons while an animal engages in complex behaviors. Optical imaging of electrical activity using genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) has the potential to meet this challenge. Currently prevalent GEVIs are based on the voltage-sensitive fluorescent protein (VSFP) prototypical design or on the voltage-dependent state transitions of microbial opsins. We recently introduced a new VSFP design in which the voltage-sensing domain (VSD) is sandwiched between a fluorescence resonance energy transfer pair of fluorescent proteins (termed VSFP-Butterflies) and also demonstrated a series of chimeric VSD in which portions of the VSD of Ciona intestinalis voltage-sensitive phosphatase are substituted by homologous portions of a voltage-gated potassium channel subunit. These chimeric VSD had faster sensing kinetics than that of the native Ci-VSD. Here, we describe a new set of VSFPs that combine chimeric VSD with the Butterfly structure. We show that these chimeric VSFP-Butterflies can report membrane voltage oscillations of up to 200 Hz in cultured cells and report sensory evoked cortical population responses in living mice. This class of GEVIs may be suitable for imaging of brain rhythms in behaving mammalians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukiko Mishina
- Laboratory for Neuronal Circuit Dynamics, RIKEN Brain Science Institute Wako, Japan ; Centre for Global Communication Strategies, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Mutoh
- Laboratory for Neuronal Circuit Dynamics, RIKEN Brain Science Institute Wako, Japan ; Department of Neurophysiology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Chenchen Song
- Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London London, UK
| | - Thomas Knöpfel
- Laboratory for Neuronal Circuit Dynamics, RIKEN Brain Science Institute Wako, Japan ; Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London London, UK
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27
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Gong Y, Wagner MJ, Li JZ, Schnitzer MJ. Imaging neural spiking in brain tissue using FRET-opsin protein voltage sensors. Nat Commun 2014; 5:3674. [PMID: 24755708 PMCID: PMC4247277 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetically encoded fluorescence voltage sensors offer the possibility of directly visualizing neural spiking dynamics in cells targeted by their genetic class or connectivity. Sensors of this class have generally suffered performance-limiting tradeoffs between modest brightness, sluggish kinetics and limited signalling dynamic range in response to action potentials. Here we describe sensors that use fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to combine the rapid kinetics and substantial voltage-dependence of rhodopsin family voltage-sensing domains with the brightness of genetically engineered protein fluorophores. These FRET-opsin sensors significantly improve upon the spike detection fidelity offered by the genetically encoded voltage sensor, Arclight, while offering faster kinetics and higher brightness. Using FRET-opsin sensors we imaged neural spiking and sub-threshold membrane voltage dynamics in cultured neurons and in pyramidal cells within neocortical tissue slices. In live mice, rates and optical waveforms of cerebellar Purkinje neurons' dendritic voltage transients matched expectations for these cells' dendritic spikes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyang Gong
- James H. Clark Center, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- CNC Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Mark J. Wagner
- James H. Clark Center, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- CNC Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jin Zhong Li
- James H. Clark Center, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- CNC Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Mark J. Schnitzer
- James H. Clark Center, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- CNC Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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28
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Han Z, Jin L, Platisa J, Cohen LB, Baker BJ, Pieribone VA. Fluorescent protein voltage probes derived from ArcLight that respond to membrane voltage changes with fast kinetics. PLoS One 2013; 8:e81295. [PMID: 24312287 PMCID: PMC3842285 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2013] [Accepted: 10/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously reported the discovery of a fluorescent protein voltage probe, ArcLight, and its derivatives that exhibit large changes in fluorescence intensity in response to changes of plasma membrane voltage. ArcLight allows the reliable detection of single action potentials and sub-threshold activities in individual neurons and dendrites. The response kinetics of ArcLight (τ1-on ~10 ms, τ2-on ~ 50 ms) are comparable with most published genetically-encoded voltage probes. However, probes using voltage-sensing domains other than that from the Ciona intestinalis voltage sensitive phosphatase exhibit faster kinetics. Here we report new versions of ArcLight, in which the Ciona voltage-sensing domain was replaced with those from chicken, zebrafish, frog, mouse or human. We found that the chicken and zebrafish-based ArcLight exhibit faster kinetics, with a time constant (τ) less than 6ms for a 100 mV depolarization. Although the response amplitude of these two probes (8-9%) is not as large as the Ciona-based ArcLight (~35%), they are better at reporting action potentials from cultured neurons at higher frequency. In contrast, probes based on frog, mouse and human voltage sensing domains were either slower than the Ciona-based ArcLight or had very small signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Han
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- The John B. Pierce Laboratory, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Lei Jin
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Jelena Platisa
- The John B. Pierce Laboratory, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Faculty of Physical Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Lawrence B. Cohen
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Center for Functional Connectomics, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Bradley J. Baker
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Center for Functional Connectomics, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Vincent A. Pieribone
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- The John B. Pierce Laboratory, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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29
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Gong Y, Li JZ, Schnitzer MJ. Enhanced Archaerhodopsin Fluorescent Protein Voltage Indicators. PLoS One 2013; 8:e66959. [PMID: 23840563 PMCID: PMC3686764 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2013] [Accepted: 05/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A longstanding goal in neuroscience has been to develop techniques for imaging the voltage dynamics of genetically defined subsets of neurons. Optical sensors of transmembrane voltage would enhance studies of neural activity in contexts ranging from individual neurons cultured in vitro to neuronal populations in awake-behaving animals. Recent progress has identified Archaerhodopsin (Arch) based sensors as a promising, genetically encoded class of fluorescent voltage indicators that can report single action potentials. Wild-type Arch exhibits sub-millisecond fluorescence responses to trans-membrane voltage, but its light-activated proton pump also responds to the imaging illumination. An Arch mutant (Arch-D95N) exhibits no photocurrent, but has a slower, ~40 ms response to voltage transients. Here we present Arch-derived voltage sensors with trafficking signals that enhance their localization to the neural membrane. We also describe Arch mutant sensors (Arch-EEN and -EEQ) that exhibit faster kinetics and greater fluorescence dynamic range than Arch-D95N, and no photocurrent at the illumination intensities normally used for imaging. We benchmarked these voltage sensors regarding their spike detection fidelity by using a signal detection theoretic framework that takes into account the experimentally measured photon shot noise and optical waveforms for single action potentials. This analysis revealed that by combining the sequence mutations and enhanced trafficking sequences, the new sensors improved the fidelity of spike detection by nearly three-fold in comparison to Arch-D95N.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyang Gong
- James H. Clark Center, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- CNC Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jin Zhong Li
- James H. Clark Center, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- CNC Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Mark J. Schnitzer
- James H. Clark Center, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- CNC Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
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