Near-infrared optogenetic tools

• Project/Area Number: 18K05549
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 38060:Applied molecular and cellular biology-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• Principal Investigator: ISHII Tomohiro 東京医科歯科大学, 大学院医歯学総合研究科, 講師 (60549947)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 中田 隆夫 東京医科歯科大学, 大学院医歯学総合研究科, 教授 (50218004)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2020)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,420,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,020,000); Fiscal Year 2020: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000); Fiscal Year 2019: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000); Fiscal Year 2018: ¥1,820,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥420,000)
• Keywords: 光遺伝学 / オプトジェネティクス / 細胞内シグナル / カルシウムシグナル / タンパク質工学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The goal of this research is to develop novel optogenetic tools which respond to near-infrared light. Light-sensing domains of a bacterial protein and enzymes or cell signaling molecules are fused to obtain novel light-activatable functional proteins. Near-infrared-light-activatable tools can be combined with other optogenetic tools to control multiple proteins independently with multiple lights. Near-infrared light-sensing enzymes and signaling molecules were generated and cells expressing these molecules are analyzed. These molecules function by the illumination of light, although the efficiency was low. They still need improvements if they are used as a general research tool.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

光を使ってタンパク質の機能を操作するシステムが構築されれば、分子や細胞の機能を調べる研究が飛躍的に進展する。さらに複数の光を使って複数のタンパク質の機能を同時に操作できれば、より複雑な生命現象の理解が進む。本研究で示した近赤外光に応答する光遺伝学ツールの作製の可能性は、今後の生命科学研究への応用に向けた第一歩となる。

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Bacterial MgrB peptide activates chemoreceptor Fpr3 in mouse accessory olfactory system and drives avoidance behaviour (2019)
  • Author(s): Bufe Bernd、Teuchert Yannick、Schmid Andreas、Pyrski Martina、P?rez-G?mez Anabel、Eisenbeis Janina、Timm Thomas、Ishii Tomohiro、Lochnit G?nter、Bischoff Markus、Mombaerts Peter、Leinders-Zufall Trese、Zufall Frank
  • Journal Title: Nature Communications Volume: 10 Issue: 1
  • DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12842-x
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Subpopulations of vomeronasal sensory neurons with coordinated coexpression of type 2 vomeronasal receptor genes are differentially dependent on Vmn2r1 (2018)
  • Author(s): Akiyoshi Sachiko、Ishii Tomohiro、Bai Zhaodai、Mombaerts Peter
  • Journal Title: European Journal of Neuroscience Volume: 47 Issue: 7 Pages: 887-900
  • DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13875
  • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] 光遺伝学ツールの開発と細胞の分化誘導 (2020)
  • Author(s): 石井智浩、Xiyin Deng、中田隆夫
  • Organizer: 第125回日本解剖学会総会・全国学術集会