title: Highly efficient optogenetic cell ablation in C. elegans using membrane-targeted miniSOG.
abstract: The genetically encoded photosensitizer miniSOG (mini Singlet Oxygen Generator) can be used to kill cells in C. elegans. miniSOG generates the reactive oxygen species (ROS) singlet oxygen after illumination with blue light. Illumination of neurons expressing miniSOG targeted to the outer mitochondrial membrane (mito-miniSOG) causes neuronal death. To enhance miniSOG's efficiency as an ablation tool in multiple cell types we tested alternative targeting signals. We find that membrane targeted miniSOG allows highly efficient cell killing. When combined with a point mutation that increases miniSOG's ROS generation, membrane targeted miniSOG can ablate neurons in less than one tenth the time of mito-miniSOG. We extend the miniSOG ablation technique to non-neuronal tissues, revealing an essential role for the epidermis in locomotion. These improvements expand the utility and throughput of optogenetic cell ablation in C. elegans.
authors: Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093.
authors: Suhong
authors: S
authors: Xu
authors: Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093.
authors: Andrew D
authors: AD
authors: Chisholm
mesh_terms: D055011:Ablation Techniques; D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000187:drug effects*; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects*; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism; D008027:Light; D008566:Membranes / Q000378:metabolism*; D032342:Muscle Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D062308:Optogenetics / Q000379:methods; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D026082:Singlet Oxygen / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D026082:Singlet Oxygen