Photochemical tools for remote control of ion channels in excitable cells.
Various strategies have been developed recently for imparting light sensitivity onto normally insensitive cells. These include expression of natural photosensitive proteins, photolysis of caged agonists of native cell surface receptors and photoswitching of isomerizable tethered ligands that act on specially engineered ion channels and receptor targets. The development of chemical tools for optically stimulating or inhibiting signaling proteins has particular relevance for the nervous system, where precise, noninvasive control is an experimental and medical necessity.
Kramer
Richard H
RH
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, 142 Life Sciences Addition, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA. rhkramer@berkeley.edu
Chambers
James J
JJ
Trauner
Dirk
D
D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010777:Photochemistry; D013997:Time Factors
D007473:Ion Channels; D007501:Iron