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Romussi S, Giunti S, Andersen N, De Rosa MJ. C. elegans: a prominent platform for modeling and drug screening in neurological disorders. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:565-585. [PMID: 38509691 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2329103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Human neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases (NDevDs and NDegDs, respectively) encompass a broad spectrum of disorders affecting the nervous system with an increasing incidence. In this context, the nematode C. elegans, has emerged as a benchmark model for biological research, especially in the field of neuroscience. AREAS COVERED The authors highlight the numerous advantages of this tiny worm as a model for exploring nervous system pathologies and as a platform for drug discovery. There is a particular focus given to describing the existing models of C. elegans for the study of NDevDs and NDegDs. Specifically, the authors underscore their strong applicability in preclinical drug development. Furthermore, they place particular emphasis on detailing the common techniques employed to explore the nervous system in both healthy and diseased states. EXPERT OPINION Drug discovery constitutes a long and expensive process. The incorporation of invertebrate models, such as C. elegans, stands as an exemplary strategy for mitigating costs and expediting timelines. The utilization of C. elegans as a platform to replicate nervous system pathologies and conduct high-throughput automated assays in the initial phases of drug discovery is pivotal for rendering therapeutic options more attainable and cost-effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Romussi
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología de Invertebrados, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB), UNS-CONICET, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Sebastián Giunti
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología de Invertebrados, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB), UNS-CONICET, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
- Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Natalia Andersen
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología de Invertebrados, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB), UNS-CONICET, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
- Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - María José De Rosa
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología de Invertebrados, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB), UNS-CONICET, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
- Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), Bahía Blanca, Argentina
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2
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Brooks FP, Davis HC, Park P, Qi Y, Cohen AE. Photophysics-informed two-photon voltage imaging using FRET-opsin voltage indicators. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.01.587540. [PMID: 38617370 PMCID: PMC11014499 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.01.587540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Microbial rhodopsin-derived genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) are powerful tools for mapping bioelectrical dynamics in cell culture and in live animals. Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-opsin GEVIs use voltage-dependent changes in opsin absorption to modulate the fluorescence of an attached fluorophore, achieving high brightness, speed, and voltage sensitivity. However, the voltage sensitivity of most FRET-opsin GEVIs has been reported to decrease or vanish under two-photon (2P) excitation. Here we investigated the photophysics of the FRET-opsin GEVIs Voltron1 and 2. We found that the voltage sensitivity came from a photocycle intermediate, not from the opsin ground state. The voltage sensitivities of both GEVIs were nonlinear functions of illumination intensity; for Voltron1, the sensitivity reversed sign under low-intensity illumination. Using photocycle-optimized 2P illumination protocols, we demonstrate 2P voltage imaging with Voltron2 in barrel cortex of a live mouse. These results open the door to high-speed 2P voltage imaging of FRET-opsin GEVIs in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pojeong Park
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University
| | - Yitong Qi
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University
| | - Adam E. Cohen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University
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3
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Sherman D, Harel D. Deciphering the underlying mechanisms of the pharyngeal pumping motions in Caenorhabditis elegans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2302660121. [PMID: 38315866 PMCID: PMC10873627 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2302660121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The pharynx of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a neuromuscular organ that exhibits typical pumping motions, which result in the intake of food particles from the environment. In-depth inspection reveals slightly different dynamics at the various pharyngeal areas, rather than synchronous pumping motions of the whole organ, which are important for its effective functioning. While the different pumping dynamics are well characterized, the underlying mechanisms that generate them are not known. In this study, the C. elegans pharynx was modeled in a bottom-up fashion, including all of the underlying biological processes that lead to, and including, its end function, food intake. The mathematical modeling of all processes allowed performing comprehensive, quantitative analyses of the system as a whole. Our analyses provided detailed explanations for the various pumping dynamics generated at the different pharyngeal areas; a fine-resolution description of muscle dynamics, both between and within different pharyngeal areas; a quantitative assessment of the values of many parameters of the system that are unavailable in the literature; and support for a functional role of the marginal cells, which are currently assumed to mainly have a structural role in the pharynx. In addition, our model predicted that in tiny organisms such as C. elegans, the generation of long-lasting action potentials must involve ions other than calcium. Our study exemplifies the power of mathematical models, which allow a more accurate, higher-resolution inspection of the studied system, and an easier and faster execution of in silico experiments than feasible in the lab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Sherman
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot76100, Israel
| | - David Harel
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot76100, Israel
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Bowman AJ, Huang C, Schnitzer MJ, Kasevich MA. Wide-field fluorescence lifetime imaging of neuron spiking and subthreshold activity in vivo. Science 2023; 380:1270-1275. [PMID: 37347862 PMCID: PMC10361454 DOI: 10.1126/science.adf9725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
The development of voltage-sensitive fluorescent probes suggests fluorescence lifetime as a promising readout for electrical activity in biological systems. Existing approaches fail to achieve the speed and sensitivity required for voltage imaging in neuroscience applications. We demonstrated that wide-field electro-optic fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (EO-FLIM) allows lifetime imaging at kilohertz frame-acquisition rates, spatially resolving action potential propagation and subthreshold neural activity in live adult Drosophila. Lifetime resolutions of <5 picoseconds at 1 kilohertz were achieved for single-cell voltage recordings. Lifetime readout is limited by photon shot noise, and the method provides strong rejection of motion artifacts and technical noise sources. Recordings revealed local transmembrane depolarizations, two types of spikes with distinct fluorescence lifetimes, and phase locking of spikes to an external mechanical stimulus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J. Bowman
- Physics Department, Stanford University; 382 Via Pueblo Mall, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Cheng Huang
- James H. Clark Center, Stanford University; 318 Campus Dr., Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Present Address: Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Mark J. Schnitzer
- James H. Clark Center, Stanford University; 318 Campus Dr., Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- CNC Program, Stanford University; Stanford, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University; Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mark A. Kasevich
- Physics Department, Stanford University; 382 Via Pueblo Mall, Stanford, California 94305, USA
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5
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Aseyev N, Ivanova V, Balaban P, Nikitin E. Current Practice in Using Voltage Imaging to Record Fast Neuronal Activity: Successful Examples from Invertebrate to Mammalian Studies. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:648. [PMID: 37367013 DOI: 10.3390/bios13060648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The optical imaging of neuronal activity with potentiometric probes has been credited with being able to address key questions in neuroscience via the simultaneous recording of many neurons. This technique, which was pioneered 50 years ago, has allowed researchers to study the dynamics of neural activity, from tiny subthreshold synaptic events in the axon and dendrites at the subcellular level to the fluctuation of field potentials and how they spread across large areas of the brain. Initially, synthetic voltage-sensitive dyes (VSDs) were applied directly to brain tissue via staining, but recent advances in transgenic methods now allow the expression of genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs), specifically in selected neuron types. However, voltage imaging is technically difficult and limited by several methodological constraints that determine its applicability in a given type of experiment. The prevalence of this method is far from being comparable to patch clamp voltage recording or similar routine methods in neuroscience research. There are more than twice as many studies on VSDs as there are on GEVIs. As can be seen from the majority of the papers, most of them are either methodological ones or reviews. However, potentiometric imaging is able to address key questions in neuroscience by recording most or many neurons simultaneously, thus providing unique information that cannot be obtained via other methods. Different types of optical voltage indicators have their advantages and limitations, which we focus on in detail. Here, we summarize the experience of the scientific community in the application of voltage imaging and try to evaluate the contribution of this method to neuroscience research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolay Aseyev
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Butlerova 5A, Moscow 117485, Russia
| | - Violetta Ivanova
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Butlerova 5A, Moscow 117485, Russia
| | - Pavel Balaban
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Butlerova 5A, Moscow 117485, Russia
| | - Evgeny Nikitin
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Butlerova 5A, Moscow 117485, Russia
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6
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Bergs ACF, Liewald JF, Rodriguez-Rozada S, Liu Q, Wirt C, Bessel A, Zeitzschel N, Durmaz H, Nozownik A, Dill H, Jospin M, Vierock J, Bargmann CI, Hegemann P, Wiegert JS, Gottschalk A. All-optical closed-loop voltage clamp for precise control of muscles and neurons in live animals. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1939. [PMID: 37024493 PMCID: PMC10079764 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37622-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Excitable cells can be stimulated or inhibited by optogenetics. Since optogenetic actuation regimes are often static, neurons and circuits can quickly adapt, allowing perturbation, but not true control. Hence, we established an optogenetic voltage-clamp (OVC). The voltage-indicator QuasAr2 provides information for fast, closed-loop optical feedback to the bidirectional optogenetic actuator BiPOLES. Voltage-dependent fluorescence is held within tight margins, thus clamping the cell to distinct potentials. We established the OVC in muscles and neurons of Caenorhabditis elegans, and transferred it to rat hippocampal neurons in slice culture. Fluorescence signals were calibrated to electrically measured potentials, and wavelengths to currents, enabling to determine optical I/V-relationships. The OVC reports on homeostatically altered cellular physiology in mutants and on Ca2+-channel properties, and can dynamically clamp spiking in C. elegans. Combining non-invasive imaging with control capabilities of electrophysiology, the OVC facilitates high-throughput, contact-less electrophysiology in individual cells and paves the way for true optogenetic control in behaving animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelie C F Bergs
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jana F Liewald
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Silvia Rodriguez-Rozada
- Research Group Synaptic Wiring and Information Processing, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Qiang Liu
- Lulu and Anthony Wang Laboratory of Neural Circuits and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Christin Wirt
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Artur Bessel
- Independent Researcher, Melatener Strasse 93, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Nadja Zeitzschel
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Hilal Durmaz
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Adrianna Nozownik
- Research Group Synaptic Wiring and Information Processing, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Holger Dill
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Maëlle Jospin
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Institut NeuroMyoGène, 8 Avenue Rockefeller, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Johannes Vierock
- Institute for Biology, Experimental Biophysics, Humboldt University, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Cornelia I Bargmann
- Lulu and Anthony Wang Laboratory of Neural Circuits and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Peter Hegemann
- Institute for Biology, Experimental Biophysics, Humboldt University, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - J Simon Wiegert
- Research Group Synaptic Wiring and Information Processing, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
- Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Ludolf-Krehl-Strasse 13-17, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Alexander Gottschalk
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany.
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany.
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7
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Seidenthal M, Jánosi B, Rosenkranz N, Schuh N, Elvers N, Willoughby M, Zhao X, Gottschalk A. pOpsicle: An all-optical reporter system for synaptic vesicle recycling combining pH-sensitive fluorescent proteins with optogenetic manipulation of neuronal activity. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1120651. [PMID: 37066081 PMCID: PMC10102542 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1120651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
pH-sensitive fluorescent proteins are widely used to study synaptic vesicle (SV) fusion and recycling. When targeted to the lumen of SVs, fluorescence of these proteins is quenched by the acidic pH. Following SV fusion, they are exposed to extracellular neutral pH, resulting in a fluorescence increase. SV fusion, recycling and acidification can thus be tracked by tagging integral SV proteins with pH-sensitive proteins. Neurotransmission is generally activated by electrical stimulation, which is not feasible in small, intact animals. Previous in vivo approaches depended on distinct (sensory) stimuli, thus limiting the addressable neuron types. To overcome these limitations, we established an all-optical approach to stimulate and visualize SV fusion and recycling. We combined distinct pH-sensitive fluorescent proteins (inserted into the SV protein synaptogyrin) and light-gated channelrhodopsins (ChRs) for optical stimulation, overcoming optical crosstalk and thus enabling an all-optical approach. We generated two different variants of the pH-sensitive optogenetic reporter of vesicle recycling (pOpsicle) and tested them in cholinergic neurons of intact Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes. First, we combined the red fluorescent protein pHuji with the blue-light gated ChR2(H134R), and second, the green fluorescent pHluorin combined with the novel red-shifted ChR ChrimsonSA. In both cases, fluorescence increases were observed after optical stimulation. Increase and subsequent decline of fluorescence was affected by mutations of proteins involved in SV fusion and endocytosis. These results establish pOpsicle as a non-invasive, all-optical approach to investigate different steps of the SV cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Seidenthal
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Barbara Jánosi
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nils Rosenkranz
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Noah Schuh
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nora Elvers
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Miles Willoughby
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Xinda Zhao
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Alexander Gottschalk
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- *Correspondence: Alexander Gottschalk,
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8
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Pedraza-González L, Barneschi L, Marszałek M, Padula D, De Vico L, Olivucci M. Automated QM/MM Screening of Rhodopsin Variants with Enhanced Fluorescence. J Chem Theory Comput 2023; 19:293-310. [PMID: 36516450 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.2c00928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
We present a computational protocol for the fast and automated screening of excited-state hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) models of rhodopsins to be used as fluorescent probes based on the automatic rhodopsin modeling protocol (a-ARM). Such "a-ARM fluorescence screening protocol" is implemented through a general Python-based driver, PyARM, that is also proposed here. The implementation and performance of the protocol are benchmarked using different sets of rhodopsin variants whose absorption and, more relevantly, emission spectra have been experimentally measured. We show that, despite important limitations that make unsafe to use it as a black-box tool, the protocol reproduces the observed trends in fluorescence and it is capable of selecting novel potentially fluorescent rhodopsins. We also show that the protocol can be used in mechanistic investigations to discern fluorescence enhancement effects associated with a near degeneracy of the S1/S2 states or, alternatively, with a barrier generated via coupling of the S0/S1 wave functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Pedraza-González
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via A. Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Leonardo Barneschi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via A. Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Michał Marszałek
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via A. Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy.,Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiaǹskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Daniele Padula
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via A. Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Luca De Vico
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via A. Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Massimo Olivucci
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via A. Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy.,Department of Chemistry, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio 43403, United States
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9
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Barneschi L, Marsili E, Pedraza-González L, Padula D, De Vico L, Kaliakin D, Blanco-González A, Ferré N, Huix-Rotllant M, Filatov M, Olivucci M. On the fluorescence enhancement of arch neuronal optogenetic reporters. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6432. [PMID: 36307417 PMCID: PMC9616920 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33993-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The lack of a theory capable of connecting the amino acid sequence of a light-absorbing protein with its fluorescence brightness is hampering the development of tools for understanding neuronal communications. Here we demonstrate that a theory can be established by constructing quantum chemical models of a set of Archaerhodopsin reporters in their electronically excited state. We found that the experimentally observed increase in fluorescence quantum yield is proportional to the computed decrease in energy difference between the fluorescent state and a nearby photoisomerization channel leading to an exotic diradical of the protein chromophore. This finding will ultimately support the development of technologies for searching novel fluorescent rhodopsin variants and unveil electrostatic changes that make light emission brighter and brighter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Barneschi
- grid.9024.f0000 0004 1757 4641Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università di Siena, via A. Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Emanuele Marsili
- grid.9024.f0000 0004 1757 4641Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università di Siena, via A. Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy ,grid.8250.f0000 0000 8700 0572University of Durham, Department of Chemistry, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE United Kingdom ,grid.5337.20000 0004 1936 7603Present Address: Centre for Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Pedraza-González
- grid.9024.f0000 0004 1757 4641Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università di Siena, via A. Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy ,grid.5395.a0000 0004 1757 3729Present Address: Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Università di Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi, 13, I-56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Daniele Padula
- grid.9024.f0000 0004 1757 4641Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università di Siena, via A. Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Luca De Vico
- grid.9024.f0000 0004 1757 4641Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università di Siena, via A. Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Danil Kaliakin
- grid.253248.a0000 0001 0661 0035Department of Chemistry, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403 USA
| | - Alejandro Blanco-González
- grid.253248.a0000 0001 0661 0035Department of Chemistry, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403 USA
| | - Nicolas Ferré
- grid.462456.70000 0004 4902 8637Institut de Chimie Radicalaire (UMR-7273), Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, 13397 Marseille, Cedex 20 France
| | - Miquel Huix-Rotllant
- grid.462456.70000 0004 4902 8637Institut de Chimie Radicalaire (UMR-7273), Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, 13397 Marseille, Cedex 20 France
| | - Michael Filatov
- grid.258803.40000 0001 0661 1556Department of Chemistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 702-701 South Korea
| | - Massimo Olivucci
- grid.9024.f0000 0004 1757 4641Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università di Siena, via A. Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy ,grid.253248.a0000 0001 0661 0035Department of Chemistry, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403 USA ,grid.11843.3f0000 0001 2157 9291University of Strasbourg Institute for Advanced Studies, 5, alleé duGeń eŕ al Rouvillois, F-67083 Strasbourg, France
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10
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Penzkofer A, Silapetere A, Hegemann P. Theoretical Investigation of the Photocycle Dynamics of the Archaerhodopsin 3 Based Fluorescent Voltage Sensor Archon2. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2022.114366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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11
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El Mouridi S, Alkhaldi F, Frøkjær-Jensen C. Modular safe-harbor transgene insertion for targeted single-copy and extrachromosomal array integration in Caenorhabditis elegans. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 12:jkac184. [PMID: 35900171 PMCID: PMC9434227 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Efficient and reproducible transgenesis facilitates and accelerates research using genetic model organisms. Here, we describe a modular safe-harbor transgene insertion (MosTI) for use in Caenorhabditis elegans which improves targeted insertion of single-copy transgenes by homology directed repair and targeted integration of extrachromosomal arrays by nonhomologous end-joining. MosTI allows easy conversion between selection markers at insertion site and a collection of universal targeting vectors with commonly used promoters and fluorophores. Insertions are targeted at three permissive safe-harbor intergenic locations and transgenes are reproducibly expressed in somatic and germ cells. Chromosomal integration is mediated by CRISPR/Cas9, and positive selection is based on a set of split markers (unc-119, hygroR, and gfp) where only animals with chromosomal insertions are rescued, resistant to antibiotics, or fluorescent, respectively. Single-copy insertion is efficient using either constitutive or heat-shock inducible Cas9 expression (25-75%) and insertions can be generated from a multiplexed injection mix. Extrachromosomal array integration is also efficient (7-44%) at modular safe-harbor transgene insertion landing sites or at the endogenous unc-119 locus. We use short-read sequencing to estimate the plasmid copy numbers for 8 integrated arrays (6-37 copies) and long-read Nanopore sequencing to determine the structure and size (5.4 Mb) of 1 array. Using universal targeting vectors, standardized insertion strains, and optimized protocols, it is possible to construct complex transgenic strains which should facilitate the study of increasingly complex biological problems in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia El Mouridi
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Faisal Alkhaldi
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Christian Frøkjær-Jensen
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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12
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de Grip WJ, Ganapathy S. Rhodopsins: An Excitingly Versatile Protein Species for Research, Development and Creative Engineering. Front Chem 2022; 10:879609. [PMID: 35815212 PMCID: PMC9257189 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.879609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The first member and eponym of the rhodopsin family was identified in the 1930s as the visual pigment of the rod photoreceptor cell in the animal retina. It was found to be a membrane protein, owing its photosensitivity to the presence of a covalently bound chromophoric group. This group, derived from vitamin A, was appropriately dubbed retinal. In the 1970s a microbial counterpart of this species was discovered in an archaeon, being a membrane protein also harbouring retinal as a chromophore, and named bacteriorhodopsin. Since their discovery a photogenic panorama unfolded, where up to date new members and subspecies with a variety of light-driven functionality have been added to this family. The animal branch, meanwhile categorized as type-2 rhodopsins, turned out to form a large subclass in the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors and are essential to multiple elements of light-dependent animal sensory physiology. The microbial branch, the type-1 rhodopsins, largely function as light-driven ion pumps or channels, but also contain sensory-active and enzyme-sustaining subspecies. In this review we will follow the development of this exciting membrane protein panorama in a representative number of highlights and will present a prospect of their extraordinary future potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willem J. de Grip
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Department of Biophysical Organic Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Srividya Ganapathy
- Department of Imaging Physics, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands
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13
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Pradhan S, Hendricks M. Observing and Quantifying Fluorescent Reporters. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2468:73-87. [PMID: 35320561 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2181-3_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Genetically encoded fluorescent reporters take advantage of C. elegans' transparency to allow non-invasive, in vivo observation, and recording of physiological processes in intact animals. Here, we discuss the basic microscope components required to observe, image, and measure fluorescent proteins in live animals for students and researchers who work with C. elegans but have limited experience with fluorescence imaging and analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreeparna Pradhan
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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14
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Bergs A, Henss T, Glock C, Nagpal J, Gottschalk A. Microbial Rhodopsin Optogenetic Tools: Application for Analyses of Synaptic Transmission and of Neuronal Network Activity in Behavior. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2468:89-115. [PMID: 35320562 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2181-3_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Over the past 15 years, optogenetic methods have revolutionized neuroscientific and cell biological research, also in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. In this chapter, we give an update about current optogenetic tools and methods to address neuronal activity and inhibition, as well as second messenger signaling, based on microbial rhodopsins. We address channelrhodopsins and variants thereof, which conduct cations or anions, for depolarization and hyperpolarization of the membrane potential. Also, we cover ion pumping rhodopsins, like halorhodopsin, Mac, and Arch. A recent addition to rhodopsin-based optogenetics is voltage imaging tools that allow fluorescent readout of membrane voltage (directly, via fluorescence of the rhodopsin chromophore retinal, or indirectly, via electrochromic FRET). Last, we report on a new addition to the optogenetic toolbox, which is rhodopsin guanylyl cyclases, as well as mutated variants with specificity for cyclic AMP. These can be used to regulate intracellular levels of cGMP and cAMP, which are important second messengers in sensory and other neurons. We further show how they can be combined with cyclic nucleotide-gated channels in two-component optogenetics, for depolarization or hyperpolarization of membrane potential. For all tools, we present protocols for straightforward experimentation to address neuronal activation and inhibition, particularly at the neuromuscular junction, and for combined optogenetic actuation and Ca2+ imaging. We also provide protocols for usage of rhodopsin guanylyl and adenylyl cyclases. Finally, we list a number of points to consider when designing and conducting rhodopsin-based optogenetic experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelie Bergs
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thilo Henss
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Caspar Glock
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Max-Planck-Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jatin Nagpal
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Alexander Gottschalk
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.
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15
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Srinivasan P, Griffin NM, Thakur D, Joshi P, Nguyen-Le A, McCotter S, Jain A, Saeidi M, Kulkarni P, Eisdorfer JT, Rothman J, Montell C, Theogarajan L. An Autonomous Molecular Bioluminescent Reporter (AMBER) for Voltage Imaging in Freely Moving Animals. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2021; 5:e2100842. [PMID: 34761564 PMCID: PMC8858017 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202100842] [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] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Genetically encoded reporters have greatly increased our understanding of biology. While fluorescent reporters have been widely used, photostability and phototoxicity have hindered their use in long-term experiments. Bioluminescence overcomes some of these challenges but requires the addition of an exogenous luciferin limiting its use. Using a modular approach, Autonomous Molecular BioluminEscent Reporter (AMBER), an indicator of membrane potential is engineered. Unlike other bioluminescent systems, AMBER is a voltage-gated luciferase coupling the functionalities of the Ciona voltage-sensing domain (VSD) and bacterial luciferase, luxAB. When co-expressed with the luciferin-producing genes, AMBER reversibly switches the bioluminescent intensity as a function of membrane potential. Using biophysical and biochemical methods, it is shown that AMBER switches its enzymatic activity from an OFF to an ON state as a function of the membrane potential. Upon depolarization, AMBER switches from a low to a high enzymatic activity state, showing a several-fold increase in the bioluminescence output (ΔL/L). AMBER in the pharyngeal muscles and mechanosensory touch neurons of Caenorhabditis elegans is expressed. Using the compressed sensing approach, the electropharingeogram of the C. elegans pharynx is reconstructed, validating the sensor in vivo. Thus, AMBER represents the first fully genetically encoded bioluminescent reporter without requiring exogenous luciferin addition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasanna Srinivasan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, CA 93106
- Center for Bioengineering, Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California Santa Barbara, CA 93106
| | - Nicole M Griffin
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
- Center for Bioengineering, Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Dhananjay Thakur
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, CA 93106
- The Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, CA 93106
| | - Pradeep Joshi
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, CA 93106
| | - Alex Nguyen-Le
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, CA 93106
- Current address: Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Sean McCotter
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, CA 93106
| | - Akshar Jain
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, CA 93106
| | - Mitra Saeidi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, CA 93106
| | - Prajakta Kulkarni
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, CA 93106
| | - Jaclyn T. Eisdorfer
- College of Creative Studies,University of California Santa Barbara, CA 93106 Current address: Dept. of Bioengineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122
| | - Joel Rothman
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, CA 93106
| | - Craig Montell
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, CA 93106
- The Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, CA 93106
| | - Luke Theogarajan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, CA 93106
- Center for Bioengineering, Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, University of California Santa Barbara, CA 93106
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16
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Penzkofer A, Silapetere A, Hegemann P. Photocycle dynamics of the Archaerhodopsin 3 based fluorescent voltage sensor Archon2. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY. B, BIOLOGY 2021; 225:112331. [PMID: 34688164 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2021.112331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The retinal photocycle dynamics of the fluorescent voltage sensor Archon2 in pH 8 Tris buffer was studied. Archon2 is a mutant of Archaerhodopsin 3 (Arch) from Halorubrum sodomense obtained by a robotic multidimensional directed evolution approach (Archon2 = Arch T56P-P60S-T80P-D95H-T99S-T116I-F161V-T183I-L197I-A225C). The samples were photo-excited to the first absorption band of the protonated retinal Schiff base (PRSB) Ret_586 (absorption maximum at λmax = 586 nm, excitation wavelengths λexc = 590 nm and 632.8 nm). The photocycle dynamics were studied by recording absorption spectra during light exposure and after light exposure. Ret_586 photoisomerized to Ret_535 (main component) and Ret_485 (minor component). Ret_535 backward photoisomerized to Ret_586 in light-adapted state (named Ret_586la) and partly deprotonated to neutral retinal Schiff base (RSB) Ret_372 in light adapted state (named Ret_372la, same isomer form as Ret_535). After excitation light switch-off Ret_372la recovered to Ret_372 in dark-adapted state (Ret_372da) which slowly re-protonated to Ret_535, and Ret_535 slowly isomerized back to Ret_586 in dark-adapted state (Ret_586da). Photocycle schemes and reaction coordinate diagrams are developed and photocycle parameters are determined.
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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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17
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Zhou Y, Ding M, Nagel G, Konrad KR, Gao S. Advances and prospects of rhodopsin-based optogenetics in plant research. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 187:572-589. [PMID: 35237820 PMCID: PMC8491038 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Microbial rhodopsins have advanced optogenetics since the discovery of channelrhodopsins almost two decades ago. During this time an abundance of microbial rhodopsins has been discovered, engineered, and improved for studies in neuroscience and other animal research fields. Optogenetic applications in plant research, however, lagged largely behind. Starting with light-regulated gene expression, optogenetics has slowly expanded into plant research. The recently established all-trans retinal production in plants now enables the use of many microbial opsins, bringing extra opportunities to plant research. In this review, we summarize the recent advances of rhodopsin-based plant optogenetics and provide a perspective for future use, combined with fluorescent sensors to monitor physiological parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhou
- Institute of Physiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg 97070, Germany
| | - Meiqi Ding
- Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Julius-von-Sachs-Institute, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg 97082, Germany
| | - Georg Nagel
- Institute of Physiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg 97070, Germany
| | - Kai R. Konrad
- Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Julius-von-Sachs-Institute, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg 97082, Germany
| | - Shiqiang Gao
- Institute of Physiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg 97070, Germany
- Author for communication:
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18
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Emmons SW, Yemini E, Zimmer M. Methods for analyzing neuronal structure and activity in Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics 2021; 218:6303616. [PMID: 34151952 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyab072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The model research animal Caenorhabditis elegans has unique properties making it particularly advantageous for studies of the nervous system. The nervous system is composed of a stereotyped complement of neurons connected in a consistent manner. Here, we describe methods for studying nervous system structure and function. The transparency of the animal makes it possible to visualize and identify neurons in living animals with fluorescent probes. These methods have been recently enhanced for the efficient use of neuron-specific reporter genes. Because of its simple structure, for a number of years, C. elegans has been at the forefront of connectomic studies defining synaptic connectivity by electron microscopy. This field is burgeoning with new, more powerful techniques, and recommended up-to-date methods are here described that encourage the possibility of new work in C. elegans. Fluorescent probes for single synapses and synaptic connections have allowed verification of the EM reconstructions and for experimental approaches to synapse formation. Advances in microscopy and in fluorescent reporters sensitive to Ca2+ levels have opened the way to observing activity within single neurons across the entire nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott W Emmons
- Department of Genetics and Dominick Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 1041, USA
| | - Eviatar Yemini
- Department of Biological Sciences, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Manuel Zimmer
- Department of Neuroscience and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria and.,Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna 1030, Austria
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19
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Tang Q, Tsytsarev V, Yan F, Wang C, Erzurumlu RS, Chen Y. In vivo voltage-sensitive dye imaging of mouse cortical activity with mesoscopic optical tomography. NEUROPHOTONICS 2020; 7:041402. [PMID: 33274250 PMCID: PMC7708784 DOI: 10.1117/1.nph.7.4.041402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Significance: Cellular layering is a hallmark of the mammalian neocortex with layer and cell type-specific connections within the cortical mantle and subcortical connections. A key challenge in studying circuit function within the neocortex is to understand the spatial and temporal patterns of information flow between different columns and layers. Aim: We aimed to investigate the three-dimensional (3D) layer- and area-specific interactions in mouse cortex in vivo. Approach: We applied a new promising neuroimaging method-fluorescence laminar optical tomography in combination with voltage-sensitive dye imaging (VSDi). VSDi is a powerful technique for interrogating membrane potential dynamics in assemblies of cortical neurons, but it is traditionally used for two-dimensional (2D) imaging. Our mesoscopic technique allows visualization of neuronal activity in a 3D manner with high temporal resolution. Results: We first demonstrated the depth-resolved capability of 3D mesoscopic imaging technology in Thy1-ChR2-YFP transgenic mice. Next, we recorded the long-range functional projections between sensory cortex (S1) and motor cortex (M1) in mice, in vivo, following single whisker deflection. Conclusions: The results show that mesoscopic imaging technique has the potential to investigate the layer-specific neural connectivity in the mouse cortex in vivo. Combination of mesoscopic imaging technique with optogenetic control strategy is a promising platform for determining depth-resolved interactions between cortical circuit elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinggong Tang
- University of Oklahoma, Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, Norman, Oklahoma, United States
- University of Maryland, Fischell Department of Bioengineering, College Park, Maryland, United States
- Address all correspondence to Qinggong Tang, ; Reha S. Erzurumlu, ; Yu Chen,
| | - Vassiliy Tsytsarev
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Feng Yan
- University of Oklahoma, Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, Norman, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Chen Wang
- University of Oklahoma, Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, Norman, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Reha S. Erzurumlu
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Address all correspondence to Qinggong Tang, ; Reha S. Erzurumlu, ; Yu Chen,
| | - Yu Chen
- University of Maryland, Fischell Department of Bioengineering, College Park, Maryland, United States
- University of Massachusetts, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States
- Address all correspondence to Qinggong Tang, ; Reha S. Erzurumlu, ; Yu Chen,
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20
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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 Archon2. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186576. [PMID: 32911811 PMCID: PMC7555599 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Archon2 is a fluorescent voltage sensor derived from Archaerhodopsin 3 (Arch) of Halorubrum sodomense using robotic multidimensional directed evolution approach. Here we report absorption and emission spectroscopic studies of Archon2 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 Archon2 was studied by long-time attenuation coefficient measurements at room temperature (21 ± 1 °C) and at refrigerator temperature (3 ± 1 °C). The apparent melting temperature was determined by stepwise sample heating up and cooling down (obtained apparent melting temperature: 63 ± 3 °C). In the protein melting process protonated retinal Schiff base (PRSB) with absorption maximum at 586 nm converted to de-protonated retinal Schiff base (RSB) with absorption maximum at 380 nm. Storage of Archon2 at room temperature and refrigerator temperature caused absorption coefficient decrease because of partial protein clustering to aggregates at condensation nuclei and sedimentation. At room temperature an onset of light scattering was observed after two days because of the beginning of protein unfolding. During the period of observation (18 days at 21 °C, 22 days at 3 °C) no change of retinal isomer composition was observed indicating a high potential energy barrier of S0 ground-state isomerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfons Penzkofer
- Fakultät für Physik, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-941-943-2107
| | - Arita Silapetere
- Experimentelle Biophysik, Institut für Biologie, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstraße 42, D-10115 Berlin, Germany; (A.S.); (P.H.)
| | - Peter Hegemann
- Experimentelle Biophysik, Institut für Biologie, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstraße 42, D-10115 Berlin, Germany; (A.S.); (P.H.)
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21
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RubyACRs, nonalgal anion channelrhodopsins with highly red-shifted absorption. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:22833-22840. [PMID: 32873643 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2005981117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Channelrhodopsins are light-gated ion channels widely used to control neuronal firing with light (optogenetics). We report two previously unknown families of anion channelrhodopsins (ACRs), one from the heterotrophic protists labyrinthulea and the other from haptophyte algae. Four closely related labyrinthulea ACRs, named RubyACRs here, exhibit a unique retinal-binding pocket that creates spectral sensitivities with maxima at 590 to 610 nm, the most red-shifted channelrhodopsins known, long-sought for optogenetics, and more broadly the most red-shifted microbial rhodopsins thus far reported. We identified three spectral tuning residues critical for the red-shifted absorption. Photocurrents recorded from the RubyACR from Aurantiochytrium limacinum (designated AlACR1) under single-turnover excitation exhibited biphasic decay, the rate of which was only weakly voltage dependent, in contrast to that in previously characterized cryptophyte ACRs, indicating differences in channel gating mechanisms between the two ACR families. Moreover, in A. limacinum we identified three ACRs with absorption maxima at 485, 545, and 590 nm, indicating color-sensitive photosensing with blue, green, and red spectral variation of ACRs within individual species of the labyrinthulea family. We also report functional energy transfer from a cytoplasmic fluorescent protein domain to the retinal chromophore bound within RubyACRs.
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22
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Oltmanns S, Abben FS, Ender A, Aimon S, Kovacs R, Sigrist SJ, Storace DA, Geiger JRP, Raccuglia D. NOSA, an Analytical Toolbox for Multicellular Optical Electrophysiology. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:712. [PMID: 32765213 PMCID: PMC7381214 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how neural networks generate activity patterns and communicate with each other requires monitoring the electrical activity from many neurons simultaneously. Perfectly suited tools for addressing this challenge are genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) because they can be targeted to specific cell types and optically report the electrical activity of individual, or populations of neurons. However, analyzing and interpreting the data from voltage imaging experiments is challenging because high recording speeds and properties of current GEVIs yield only low signal-to-noise ratios, making it necessary to apply specific analytical tools. Here, we present NOSA (Neuro-Optical Signal Analysis), a novel open source software designed for analyzing voltage imaging data and identifying temporal interactions between electrical activity patterns of different origin. In this work, we explain the challenges that arise during voltage imaging experiments and provide hands-on analytical solutions. We demonstrate how NOSA's baseline fitting, filtering algorithms and movement correction can compensate for shifts in baseline fluorescence and extract electrical patterns from low signal-to-noise recordings. NOSA allows to efficiently identify oscillatory frequencies in electrical patterns, quantify neuronal response parameters and moreover provides an option for analyzing simultaneously recorded optical and electrical data derived from patch-clamp or other electrode-based recordings. To identify temporal relations between electrical activity patterns we implemented different options to perform cross correlation analysis, demonstrating their utility during voltage imaging in Drosophila and mice. All features combined, NOSA will facilitate the first steps into using GEVIs and help to realize their full potential for revealing cell-type specific connectivity and functional interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Oltmanns
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frauke Sophie Abben
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anatoli Ender
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sophie Aimon
- School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Richard Kovacs
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephan J. Sigrist
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Biology/Genetics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- NeuroCure, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Douglas A. Storace
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Jörg R. P. Geiger
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Davide Raccuglia
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
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Berry BJ, Wojtovich AP. Mitochondrial light switches: optogenetic approaches to control metabolism. FEBS J 2020; 287:4544-4556. [PMID: 32459870 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Developing new technologies to study metabolism is increasingly important as metabolic disease prevalence increases. Mitochondria control cellular metabolism and dynamic changes in mitochondrial function are associated with metabolic abnormalities in cardiovascular disease, cancer, and obesity. However, a lack of precise and reversible methods to control mitochondrial function has prevented moving from association to causation. Recent advances in optogenetics have addressed this challenge, and mitochondrial function can now be precisely controlled in vivo using light. A class of genetically encoded, light-activated membrane channels and pumps has addressed mechanistic questions that promise to provide new insights into how cellular metabolism downstream of mitochondrial function contributes to disease. Here, we highlight emerging reagents-mitochondria-targeted light-activated cation channels or proton pumps-to decrease or increase mitochondrial activity upon light exposure, a technique we refer to as mitochondrial light switches, or mtSWITCH . The mtSWITCH technique is broadly applicable, as energy availability and metabolic signaling are conserved aspects of cellular function and health. Here, we outline the use of these tools in diverse cellular models of disease. We review the molecular details of each optogenetic tool, summarize the results obtained with each, and outline best practices for using optogenetic approaches to control mitochondrial function and downstream metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon J Berry
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY, USA
| | - Andrew P Wojtovich
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY, USA
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Penzkofer A, Silapetere A, Hegemann P. Photocycle Dynamics of the Archaerhodopsin 3 Based Fluorescent Voltage Sensor QuasAr1. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 21:ijms21010160. [PMID: 31881701 PMCID: PMC6982170 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The retinal photocycle dynamics of the fluorescent voltage sensor QuasAr1 (Archaerhodopsin 3 P60S-T80S-D95H-D106H-F161V mutant from Halorubrum sodomense) in pH 8 Tris buffer was studied. The samples were photoexcited to the first absorption band of the protonated retinal Schiff base (PRSB) Ret_580 (absorption maximum at λmax ≈ 580 nm), and the retinal Schiff base photoisomerization and protonation state changes were followed by absorption spectra recordings during light exposure and after light exposure. Ret_580 turned out to be composed of two protonated retinal Schiff base isomers, namely Ret_580I and Ret_580II. Photoexcitation of Ret_580I resulted in barrier-involved isomerization to Ret_540 (quantum yield ≈ 0.056) and subsequent retinal proton release leading to Ret_410 deprotonated retinal Schiff base (RSB). In the dark, Ret_410 partially recovered to Ret_580I and partially stabilized to irreversible Ret_400 due to apoprotein restructuring (Ret_410 lifetime ≈ 2 h). Photoexcitation of Ret_580II resulted in barrier-involved isomerization to Ret_640 (quantum yield ≈ 0.00135) and subsequent deprotonation to Ret_370 (RSB). In the dark, Ret_370 partially recovered to Ret_580II and partially stabilized to irreversible Ret_350 due to apoprotein restructuring (Ret_370 lifetime ≈ 10 h). Photocycle schemes and reaction coordinate diagrams for Ret_580I and Ret_580II were developed and photocyle parameters were determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfons Penzkofer
- Fakultät für Physik, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-941-943-2107
| | - Arita Silapetere
- Experimentelle Biophysik, Institut für Biologie, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstraße 42, D-10115 Berlin, Germany; (A.S.); (P.H.)
| | - Peter Hegemann
- Experimentelle Biophysik, Institut für Biologie, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstraße 42, D-10115 Berlin, Germany; (A.S.); (P.H.)
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