Engineering a new class of optogenetic tools targeting small GTPases and kinases

设计针对小 GTP 酶和激酶的新型光遗传学工具

• 批准号: 8132168
• 负责人: Yi Wu
• 金额: $ 20.42万
• 依托单位: UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT SCH OF MED/DNT
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-05-15 至 2012-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/8132168
• 关键词: Engineering; Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins; Phosphotransferases; tool

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Our thought processes rely on networks of nerve cells called neurons. These networks must be properly formed during development and the neurons must be able to communicate correctly with each other for our brains to function normally. When neurological disorders occur, they can often be traced back to how one or a group of signaling proteins within neurons failed to perform. To understand how these proteins should have worked is not an easy task if one is limited to using traditional biochemical and genetic approaches, because the proteins often carry out different roles at different times and locations inside the cells. One powerful way to identify how the functions of these proteins depends on the location and timing of their activity would be to enable investigators to switch them on or off at precise times or locations inside the cells of intact neural circuits. The current proposal aims to generate a set of tools that can switch proteins on or off in living systems with a pulse of light. Knowledge gained with these tools can lead us one step closer to curing many neurological disorders.

描述（由申请人提供）：我们的思维过程依赖于被称为神经元的神经细胞网络。这些网络必须在发育过程中正确形成，神经元必须能够正确地相互沟通，才能使我们的大脑正常运作。当神经系统疾病发生时，它们通常可以追溯到神经元内的一个或一组信号蛋白未能发挥作用。如果仅限于使用传统的生化和遗传方法，了解这些蛋白质应该如何工作并不是一件容易的事情，因为蛋白质通常在细胞内的不同时间和位置执行不同的角色。要确定这些蛋白质的功能如何取决于它们活动的位置和时间，一种有效的方法是使研究人员能够在完整神经回路的细胞内精确的时间或位置打开或关闭它们。目前的提议旨在产生一套工具，可以通过光脉冲在生命系统中打开或关闭蛋白质。通过这些工具获得的知识可以使我们更接近于治疗许多神经系统疾病。