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: host:"mouse neural progenitor cells"
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1.

Engineering a 660 nm-Responsive Optogenetic Inducer of Pyroptosis for Precision Cancer Therapy.

blue red BphS Magnets MagRed PhyA/FHY1 5637 cells BIU-87 HEK293T HeLa HK-2 MB49 mouse in vivo mouse neural progenitor cells Neuro-2a T24 Transgene expression Cell death Benchmarking
Adv Sci (Weinh), 31 Jul 2026 DOI: 10.1002/advs.76768 Link to full text
Abstract: Inducing tumor cell pyroptosis represents a promising anticancer strategy; however, uncontrolled pyroptosis not only restricts the production of viral delivery vectors but also poses a risk of systemic damage, thereby limiting the translational application of pyroptosis-based therapies. The development of genetic tools that enable precise spatiotemporal control over pyroptosis remains challenging. To address this, we developed PyroRACS, a bioorthogonal optogenetic inducer for precise pyroptosis induction. PyroRACS utilizes an engineered red-light-activatable Cre-ON genetic switch (RACS) to drive the expression of the gasdermin D N-terminal domain, enabling tunable initiation of pyroptosis without relying on endogenous signaling pathways. We validated robust pyroptosis induction by PyroRACS in multiple cell lines. PyroRACS exhibited high controllability by selectively ablating cancer cells in vitro with precise spatiotemporal resolution. Moreover, its superior controllability enabled the production of the adenovirus vector and allowed "all-in-one" delivery of PyroRACS. In a tumor-bearing mouse model, spatially restricted induction of pyroptosis by PyroRACS resulted in effective tumor suppression, with no detectable systemic toxicity observed under the tested conditions. Collectively, PyroRACS provides a novel optogenetic tool for precise manipulation of pyroptosis, facilitating fundamental research and advancing pyroptosis-based precision oncology therapeutics.
2.

Early But Not Delayed Optogenetic RAF Activation Promotes Astrocytogenesis in Mouse Neural Progenitors.

blue CRY2/CIB1 mouse neural progenitor cells Signaling cascade control Developmental processes
J Mol Biol, 26 Jun 2020 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.06.020 Link to full text
Abstract: The RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway promotes gliogenesis but the kinetic role of RAF1, a key RAF kinase, in the induction of astrocytogenesis remains to be elucidated. To address this challenge, we determine the temporal functional outcome of RAF1 during mouse neural progenitor cell differentiation using an optogenetic RAF1 system (OptoRAF1). OptoRAF1 allows for reversible activation of the RAF/MEK/ERK pathway via plasma membrane recruitment of RAF1 based on blue light-sensitive protein dimerizer CRY2/CIB1. We found that early light-induced OptoRAF1 activation in neural progenitor cells promotes cell proliferation and increased expression of glial markers and glia-enriched genes. However, delayed OptoRAF1 activation in differentiated neural progenitor had little effect on glia marker expression, suggesting that RAF1 is required to promote astrocytogenesis only within a short time window. In addition, activation of OptoRAF1 did not have a significant effect on neurogenesis, but was able to promote neuronal neurite growth.
3.

Photoactivatable Cre recombinase 3.0 for in vivo mouse applications.

blue CRY2/CIB1 FKF1/GI iLID Magnets HEK293T isolated MEFs mouse in vivo mouse neural progenitor cells
Nat Commun, 1 May 2020 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16030-0 Link to full text
Abstract: Optogenetic genome engineering tools enable spatiotemporal control of gene expression and provide new insight into biological function. Here, we report the new version of genetically encoded photoactivatable (PA) Cre recombinase, PA-Cre 3.0. To improve PA-Cre technology, we compare light-dimerization tools and optimize for mammalian expression using a CAG promoter, Magnets, and 2A self-cleaving peptide. To prevent background recombination caused by the high sequence similarity in the dimerization domains, we modify the codons for mouse gene targeting and viral production. Overall, these modifications significantly reduce dark leak activity and improve blue-light induction developing our new version, PA-Cre 3.0. As a resource, we have generated and validated AAV-PA-Cre 3.0 as well as two mouse lines that can conditionally express PA-Cre 3.0. Together these new tools will facilitate further biological and biomedical research.
4.

Light-induced Notch activity controls neurogenic and gliogenic potential of neural progenitors.

blue VVD mouse neural progenitor cells P19 primary mouse cortical neurons Transgene expression Cell differentiation
Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 25 Sep 2016 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.09.124 Link to full text
Abstract: Oscillations in Notch signaling are essential for reserving neural progenitors for cellular diversity in developing brains. Thus, steady and prolonged overactivation of Notch signaling is not suitable for generating neurons. To acquire greater temporal control of Notch activity and mimic endogenous oscillating signals, here we adopted a light-inducible transgene system to induce active form of Notch NICD in neural progenitors. Alternating Notch activity saved more progenitors that are prone to produce neurons creating larger number of mixed clones with neurons and progenitors in vitro, compared to groups with no light or continuous light stimulus. Furthermore, more upper layer neurons and astrocytes arose upon intermittent Notch activity, indicating that dynamic Notch activity maintains neural progeny and fine-tune neuron-glia diversity.
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