Toolkit Items

Melanopsin (Opn4) is a light-responsive opsin used as an optogenetic protein domain to activate Gq-linked signaling. Supplied evidence indicates that melanopsin can be functionally linked to an NFAT control circuit and that light-driven activation in cardiomyocytes modulates beating rate and local pacemaker activity.

The GelMA-Macrophages-LED system is a composite delivery harness composed of a light-crosslinked GelMA hydrogel, gene-modulated macrophages, and a wireless LED device. In the cited study, it was used for in situ light regulation of cardiac inflammation in murine lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis models, with macrophage photoactivation linked to suppression of inflammatory cytokine production.

Photo Activatable disruptor of keratin Intermediate Filaments (PA-dIF) is a genetically encoded light-responsive protein construct that combines a peptide from the 2B2 region of Keratin 8 with the photosensitive LOV2 domain from Avena sativa phototropin-1. Upon 458 nm photoirradiation, it disrupts keratin intermediate filaments in multiple species and cell types.

Blue light-activatable DNA parts are synthetic DNA constructs that enable blue-light-dependent control of cell-free RNA and protein synthesis. In the reported system, they operate orthogonally to ultraviolet light-activated DNA and were used to implement dual-wavelength logic control.

Engineered soluble photoactivated guanylate cyclases are microbe-derived engineered protein-domain optogenetic tools that couple light activation to guanylate cyclase activity. A 2018 study reported their biochemical characterization and presented them as an expansion of the optogenetic toolkit.

A light-activated CRISPR activation system is a construct pattern reported for spatiotemporal control of gene expression in zebrafish (Danio rerio). The available evidence indicates that light is used as the input to regulate CRISPR-based transcriptional activation in vivo.

Mammalian rod opsin is an opsin-based light-responsive GPCR domain used in optogenetic contexts. In the cited evidence, it is discussed primarily as a comparator whose responses dissipate during repeated light exposure, consistent with bleaching.

Microbial rhodopsins are rhodopsin-based optogenetic protein domains that are activated by visible light. The supplied evidence identifies them as the most easily and most widely applied optogenetic tools in C. elegans.

Visible-light-sensitive human OPN5 variants are engineered human neuropsin constructs in which Lys91 is replaced with neutral or acidic amino acids. This single-residue substitution substantially shifts hOPN5 spectral sensitivity from native UV responsiveness toward visible wavelengths, positioning these variants as candidate optogenetic tools.

This is a light-activated transgene control system mentioned as a newer optogenetic tool. The abstract does not provide a specific system name in the anchor source.

Light-activated GPCR control is an engineering approach that uses designer G-protein-coupled receptors activated by the physical stimulus of light. It is described as a way to control intracellular signalling cascades in cell- and receptor-type-specific manners.

Near-infrared-light activatable nanoparticles are nanomaterial-based optogenetic delivery harnesses designed for deep-tissue-penetrating wireless optical control. They are described as enabling low-invasive remote activation and inhibition of cellular signaling pathways under near-infrared light.

Channelrhodopsin is a light-responsive protein domain discussed in the context of optogenetic tool development. The supplied evidence supports only that it is a subject of channelrhodopsin engineering and exploration of new optogenetic tools.

Human opsins are protein domains used as optogenetic tools in visual restoration strategies. The supplied evidence indicates that applying human opsins can improve light sensitivity and wavelength sensitivity in optogenetic systems, and places these tools within ongoing clinical translation for retinal therapy.

Nonconventional visual pigments are opsin-based light-sensitive pigments proposed as a source of optogenetic actuators for controlling G protein-coupled receptor signaling. A 2013 review highlights their diverse molecular characteristics as potentially useful for designing light-regulated GPCR tools.

The genetically encodable, light activatable heterodimerizer system is an optogenetic multi-component switch that places a protein cargo within a genetically encoded, light-responsive heterodimerization framework. In the cited application, incorporation of cofilin enabled illumination-dependent remodeling of the F-actin network and consequent changes in cell motility.

Platynereis dumerilii ciliary opsin (PdCO) is a light-activated bistable G-protein-coupled receptor used as an inhibitory optoGPCR. It supports reversible optical control of neural circuit activity and has been reported for multiplexed optogenetic control.

Light-activated Gq protein-coupled opsins are optogenetic actuators described for selective activation of astrocytes. In the cited epilepsy-focused appraisal, they are positioned as tools to investigate how gliotransmission influences epileptic network function.

Light-triggered therapies have emerged as promising alternatives to traditional approaches due to their non-invasive nature, precise spatial and temporal control, and potential multifunctional properties.

In addition to neural activity, the ectopic expression of OPN4 has been reported to enable circuit control of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) to enhance blood-glucose homeostasis in mice.

In addition, we describe more recently developed tools such as opsin/G protein-coupled receptor chimeric molecules

Among these new tools are the light-activatable G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) or Opto-GPCRs.