Química

e Ingeniería de Proteínas (Q.I.P)

Background knowledge:

1.  LacZ gene as reporter.
2.  Gal4 transcrip>on factor.
3.  Cre recombinase/LoxP sites.
4.  CAAX box, prenyla>on process.
5.  GPCR receptors.
 OPTOGENETICS
This is a novel scien>fic area, where gene>cally encoded
photosensors transform light energy into specifically
engineered biological processes. The introduc>on of naturally
occurring photosensi>ve proteins into host cells that lack
these proteins enables them to respond to light.

By using advanced gene>cs, recombinant DNA technology,

and protein engineering scien>sts have been able to iden>fy,
categorize, and modify a growing number of photoreceptors
and integrate these units into coherent engineered biological
systems, the end result being the crea>on of light-regulated
control of a predefined biological func>on.
Engineering light-sensi>ve devices in bacteria
650 nm
Photoreceptor domain of Cph1

inhibi>on His>dine kinase of EnvZ

autophosphoryla>on

535 nm

650 nm
His>dine kinase
cianobacteria
Engineering light-sensi>ve devices in yeast
phytochrome Signaling partner

650 nm

750 nm
inac>ve ac>ve
Ac>va>on domain GAL4

DNA binding domain GAL4

Engineering light-sensi>ve devices in yeast

cryptochrome Signaling partner

450 nm
Engineering light-sensi>ve devices in mammalian cells

CAAX box
Engineering light-sensi>ve devices in mammalian cells

CAAX box
Engineering light-sensi>ve devices in mammalian cells
 Optogene>cs in animals
In describing unrealized prerequisites for assembling a general theory of the mind, Francis
Crick observed that the ability to manipulate individual components of the brain would be
needed, requiring “a method by which all neurons of just one type could be inac>vated,
leaving the others more or less unaltered”

Neurons now may be controlled with optogene>cs for fast, specific excita>on or
inhibi>on within systems as complex as freely moving mammals.
Live-ac>vated control systems in mice
Live-ac>vated control systems in mice