Optogenetics Comes of Age: Novel Inhibitory Light-Gated Anionic Channels Allow Efficient Silencing of Neural Function

Optogenetics, the developing field of research that uses light‐switchable biochemical tools in a sophisticated technological approach to monitor or control neural function, is rapidly evolving with the discovery and development of novel microbial rhodopsins. Light‐absorbing membrane proteins, as too...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chembiochem : a European journal of chemical biology 2016-02, Vol.17 (3), p.204-206
Main Authors: Peralvárez-Marín, Alex, Garriga, Pere
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bioquímica
Brain - metabolism
Brain function
Cellular signal transduction
Enginyeria química
Humans
Ion Channels - metabolism
Light
Light-activated ion channels
Neurobiologia
Neurobiology
Optogenetics
Química orgànica
Rhodopsins
Rhodopsins, Microbial - metabolism
Signal Transduction
Transducció de senyal cel·lular
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Optogenetics, the developing field of research that uses light‐switchable biochemical tools in a sophisticated technological approach to monitor or control neural function, is rapidly evolving with the discovery and development of novel microbial rhodopsins. Light‐absorbing membrane proteins, as tools for brain research, are promoting new applications within the discipline of optogenetics. Light‐gated rhodopsin ion channels with better intrinsic light sensitivity and improved resolution are needed to overcome some of the current limitations of existing molecules. The recent discovery of light‐gated inhibitory anion channels opens new opportunities for studying physiological neural processes and, at the same time, represent a powerful approach for elucidating the mechanisms of neurological and mental disorders that could benefit from this approach. Silence is purple: Recently discovered naturally occurring rhodopsins that function as light‐gated inhibitory anion channels expand the current optogenetics toolbox and represent new opportunities for studying physiological neural processes and the mechanisms of neurological and mental disorders.
ISSN:1439-4227
1439-7633
DOI:10.1002/cbic.201500608