Toolkit Items

PhyB/PIF is a genetically encoded red/far-red light-inducible dimerization system built from phytochrome B and phytochrome-interacting factor. It enables reversible light-controlled protein association and dissociation on the second time scale and has been applied to gene regulation, protein transport, and subcellular recruitment.

The optogenetic GEF specific for Cdc42 is an iLID-based multi-component light-responsive system used to control a Cdc42-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor. It enables optical recruitment or control of a GEF to manipulate localized Cdc42-family Rho GTPase signaling while bypassing upstream extracellular signaling events.

The optogenetic GEF specific for Rac is an iLID-based, light-responsive multi-component switch that controls a Rac-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor. It is used to optically manipulate localized Rac GTPase activity in cells and thereby bypass upstream extracellular signaling inputs.

BphP1-QPAS1 is a near-infrared light-inducible protein interaction system in which the bacterial phytochrome BphP1 binds an engineered partner, QPAS1, for optical protein regulation in mammalian cells. It has been incorporated into multi-component optogenetic tools for transcriptional control and protein targeting, including use in neurons and non-neuronal cells.

The PA-Tet-OFF/ON system is a photoactivatable version of the Tet gene expression platform that incorporates the Cry2-CIB1 light-inducible binding switch to control expression of a gene of interest. It enables light- and drug-regulated transcription with precise temporal control and was demonstrated for optogenetic regulation of exogenous gene expression in developing and adult mouse brains.

The supplied web research summary states that the anchor review explicitly lists Opto-CRAC2 designs using CRY2/CIBN and iLID/SspB and ties them to a mechanistic STIM1 engineering paper.