Curated Optogenetic Publication Database

Abstract: Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) is essential for mitochondrial functions, yet current methods for modulating MMP lack precise spatial and temporal control. Here, we present an optogenetic system that enables reversible formation of inter-mitochondrial contacts (mito-contacts) with high spatiotemporal precision. Blue light stimulation induces rapid formation of mito-contacts, which fully dissipate upon cessation of illumination. These light-induced mito-contacts can enhance MMP, leading to increased ATP production under stress conditions. Moreover, in human retinal cells and C. elegans, high MMP induced by mito-contacts alleviates the deleterious effects of prolonged blue light exposure, restoring energy metabolism and extending organismal lifespan. This optogenetic approach provides a powerful tool for modulating MMP and offers potential therapeutic applications for diseases linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.

Abstract: Engineering bacteria can achieve targeted and controllable cancer therapy using synthetic biology technology and the characteristics of tumor microenvironment. Besides, the accurate tumor diagnosis and visualization of the treatment process are also vital for bacterial therapy. In this paper, a light control engineered bacteria system based on upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP)-mediated time-resolved imaging (TRI) was constructed for colorectal cancer theranostic and therapy. UCNP with different luminous lifetimes were separately modified with the tumor targeting molecule (folic acid) or anaerobic bacteria (Nissle 1917, EcN) to realize the co-localization of tumor tissues, thus improving the diagnostic accuracy based on TRI. In addition, blue light was used to induce engineered bacteria (EcN-pDawn-φx174E/TRAIL) lysis and the release of tumor apoptosis-related inducing ligand (TRAIL), thus triggering tumor cell death. In vitro and in vivo results indicated that this system could achieve accurate tumor diagnosis and light-controlled cancer therapy. EcN-pDawn-φx174E/TRAIL with blue light irradiation could inhibit 53% of tumor growth in comparison to that without blue light irradiation (11.8%). We expect that this engineered bacteria system provides a new technology for intelligent bacterial therapy and the construction of cancer theranostics.