title: Optical control of GIRK channels using visible light.
abstract: G-protein coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels are an integral part of inhibitory signal transduction pathways, reducing the activity of excitable cells via hyperpolarization. They play crucial roles in processes such as cardiac output, cognition and the coordination of movement. Therefore, the precision control of GIRK channels is of critical importance. Here, we describe the development of the azobenzene containing molecule VLOGO (Visible Light Operated GIRK channel Opener), which activates GIRK channels in the dark and is promptly deactivated when illuminated with green light. VLOGO is a valuable addition to the existing tools for the optical control of GIRK channels as it circumvents the need to use potentially harmful UV irradiation. We therefore believe that VLOGO will be a useful research tool for studying GIRK channels in biological systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Center for Integrated Protein Science, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Butenandtstraße 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany. dirk.trauner@lmu.de david.barber@cup.uni-muenchen.de and Center for DNA Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry and iNANO, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Julie B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Trads
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152 Martinsried, Germany.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burgstaller
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Center for Integrated Protein Science, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Butenandtstraße 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany. dirk.trauner@lmu.de david.barber@cup.uni-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Laprell
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Center for Integrated Protein Science, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Butenandtstraße 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany. dirk.trauner@lmu.de david.barber@cup.uni-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Konrad
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Center for Integrated Protein Science, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Butenandtstraße 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany. dirk.trauner@lmu.de david.barber@cup.uni-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de la Osa de la Rosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA.
authors.forename: C David
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152 Martinsried, Germany.
authors.forename: Herwig
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Baier
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Center for Integrated Protein Science, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Butenandtstraße 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany. dirk.trauner@lmu.de david.barber@cup.uni-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Trauner
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Center for Integrated Protein Science, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Butenandtstraße 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany. dirk.trauner@lmu.de david.barber@cup.uni-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Barber
mesh_terms: D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051676:G Protein-Coupled Inwardly-Rectifying Potassium Channels / Q000819:agonists* / Q000378:metabolism; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D055668:Photochemical Processes / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D001391:Azo Compounds; D051676:G Protein-Coupled Inwardly-Rectifying Potassium Channels; C009850:azobenzene