Optogenetics - Bringing light into the darkness of mammalian signal transduction
Mühlhäuser WW, Fischer A, Weber W, Radziwill G.
Biochim Biophys Acta. 2017;1864(2):280-292.
Biochim Biophys Acta. online article
Optogenetics, based on genetically encoded light-responsive proteins, has the potential to revolutionize manipulation of signal transduction processes. Light can be easily applied with highest precision and minimal invasiveness. This review focuses on examples of optogenetic systems which were generated and applied to manipulate non-neuronal mammalian signaling processes at various stages of signal transduction, from cell membrane through cytoplasm to nucleus. Further, the future of optogenetic signaling will be discussed.
