Curated Optogenetic Publication Database

Search precisely and efficiently by using the advantage of the hand-assigned publication tags that allow you to search for papers involving a specific trait, e.g. a particular optogenetic switch or a host organism.

Qr: author:"Qi Liu"
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1.

Rationally designed light-inducible RNA-releasing protein for translational regulation and optogenetic control of gene therapies.

blue red AsLOV2 CRY2/CIB1 EL222 Magnets PhyA/FHY1 TULIP VVD B16-F10 CHO-K1 HEK293 HeLa Hepa1-6 human IPSCs HUVEC mouse in vivo Neuro-2a Transgene expression
Trends Biotechnol, 8 Apr 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2026.03.004 Link to full text
Abstract: In this study, we describe a rationally designed light-inducible RNA-releasing protein (LIRP) capable of inhibiting mRNA translation in the dark while permitting gene expression upon exposure to blue or ambient light. This LIRP-dependent gene switch is compatible with various delivery routes of gene- and cell-based therapy, such as subcutaneous implantation of microencapsulated light-sensitive cells or expression in various light-accessible body sites using single adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. To exemplify a gene therapy approach that directly harnesses ambient light as a natural illumination source to induce therapeutic action, we show how intradermal delivery of AAV2 vectors carrying a LIRP-regulated gene switch controlling murine thymic stromal lymphopoietin expression was effective in enabling light-dependent prevention and treatment of diet-induced obesity. To describe another therapeutic scenario, we engineered AAV2 vectors for LIRP-dependent expression of Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors for the treatment of retinal neovascular diseases. Upon intravitreal delivery into mice suffering from wet macular degeneration, VEGF inhibitors were constantly produced when animals were exposed to daylight, but therapeutic actions could be flexibly interrupted either by exposure to dark environments or by administration of a selective blue light filter at any point in time. When compared to conventional treatment strategies based on constitutive VEGF inhibition over the course of 3 months, we show that a regulated gene therapy approach through LIRP-dependent optogenetics was advantageous in maintaining a normal retina thickness. This work not only provides a valuable addition to the optogenetic toolbox but also offers a perspective to translate light-dependent gene switches toward therapeutic usage.
2.

A Photoactivatable Botulinum Neurotoxin for Inducible Control of Neurotransmission.

blue CRY2/CIB1 iLID C. elegans in vivo HEK293T primary rat hippocampal neurons Control of intracellular / vesicular transport Neuronal activity control
Neuron, 28 Jan 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.01.002 Link to full text
Abstract: Regulated secretion is critical for diverse biological processes ranging from immune and endocrine signaling to synaptic transmission. Botulinum and tetanus neurotoxins, which specifically proteolyze vesicle fusion proteins involved in regulated secretion, have been widely used as experimental tools to block these processes. Genetic expression of these toxins in the nervous system has been a powerful approach for disrupting neurotransmitter release within defined circuitry, but their current utility in the brain and elsewhere remains limited by lack of spatial and temporal control. Here we engineered botulinum neurotoxin B so that it can be activated with blue light. We demonstrate the utility of this approach for inducibly disrupting excitatory neurotransmission, providing a first-in-class optogenetic tool for persistent, light-triggered synaptic inhibition. In addition to blocking neurotransmitter release, this approach will have broad utility for conditionally disrupting regulated secretion of diverse bioactive molecules, including neuropeptides, neuromodulators, hormones, and immune molecules. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
3.

Engineering genetically-encoded tools for optogenetic control of protein activity.

blue near-infrared red Cryptochromes LOV domains Phytochromes Review
Curr Opin Chem Biol, 17 May 2017 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2017.05.001 Link to full text
Abstract: Optogenetic tools offer fast and reversible control of protein activity with subcellular spatial precision. In the past few years, remarkable progress has been made in engineering photoactivatable systems regulating the activity of cellular proteins. In this review, we discuss general strategies in designing and optimizing such optogenetic tools and highlight recent advances in the field, with specific focus on applications regulating protein catalytic activity.
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