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Mechanism Concept

Photocleavage

Light breaks a covalent bond, irreversibly releasing a caged peptide or domain.

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Architectures

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CRISPR/Cas9

CRISPR/Cas9 is a bacterial type II genome editing system repurposed as a programmable nuclease for target DNA cleavage and site-specific genome modification. The supplied evidence states that it was engineered for gene editing in mammalian cells by 2013 and is used to interrupt gene expression through cleavage of target DNA.

prime-editing

Prime editing is mentioned in the cited review as part of the broader set of genome-editing approaches considered in bacterial genome engineering. The supplied evidence does not describe its molecular architecture, target scope, or editing outcomes.

transcription activator-like effector nucleases

Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) are programmable site-specific nucleases used for genome editing. The supplied evidence describes them as artificial systems with customizable DNA-binding motifs that can be designed to target specific genomic loci, bind practically anywhere in the genome, and cleave double-stranded DNA.

chemogenetics

Chemogenetics is an engineering method in which target proteins are genetically engineered to interact with a designed chemical partner with high selectivity. It is used as a chemical-input strategy to manipulate protein or receptor function in cells and has also been used alongside optogenetics to perturb cellular structures such as specific microtubule subtypes.

NP-cIPTG

NP-cIPTG, or 6-nitropiperonyl-caged IPTG, is a photocaged small-molecule inducer for light-regulated control of LacI-dependent bacterial gene expression. Illumination releases IPTG activity and enables optochemical induction, including in Rhodobacter capsulatus.

Opto-Casp8-V1

Opto-Casp8-V1 is a blue light-responsive caspase-8 optogenetic construct built in the context of Arabidopsis cryptochrome 2/CIB1N-based apoptosis control. Under blue light, related GFP-PHR-caspase8 and Flag-CIB1N-caspase8 fusion components show light-dependent interaction and cleavage, and Opto-Casp8-V1 is reported to undergo less efficient self-cleavage and consumption than Opto-Casp8-V2.

Opto-Casp8-V2

Opto-Casp8-V2 is a blue light-responsive optogenetic caspase-8 construct built from the Arabidopsis cryptochrome 2 system. Under blue light, it shows more efficient self-cleavage and consumption than Opto-Casp8-V1 and more strongly promotes caspase-associated cell death outputs.

photoactivatable CRISPR/Cas12a system

The photoactivatable CRISPR/Cas12a system is a light-gated nucleic acid sensing platform that integrates photoactivation with CRISPR/Cas12a for DNA and RNA detection. It has been used in visual assay formats, including HPV16 detection and biomarker imaging, to provide spatiotemporal control over Cas12a-based sensing.

BMP-2_pc

BMP-2_pc is a recombinant BMP-2 construct linked through a coumarin-based 405 nm-photocleavable linker and covalently incorporated into an enzymatically crosslinked collagen-containing hydrogel composite. Blue-light stimulation triggers stepwise release of BMP-2 from the material.

engineered DlCYP87A-based plant-derived P450scc system

Through the integration of computational structural biology and enzyme channel engineering, this study successfully elucidated the key intermediates in the stepwise hydroxylation-cleavage catalytic process of Digitalis purpurea-derived DlCYP87A enzyme. Building on this foundation, we implemented structure-guided rational design to precisely engineer the substrate channel and catalytic pocket.

inducible protease variants for GSDME control

By engineering inducible protease variants whose activity is tightly regulated by an orally bioavailable, clinically approved small molecule, we achieved precise temporal control of pyroptosis.

three-stranded DNAzyme probe

The three-stranded DNAzyme probe (TSDP) is a CRISPR/Cas9-inducible DNA construct engineered with a 20-bp Cas9 recognition site that suppresses DNAzyme activity until cleavage. It was developed for in situ imaging of nuclear Zn2+ in living cells and was further combined with photoactivation and Boolean logic control for spatiotemporal imaging.

FnoCas12aKD2P

we previously developed a Francisella novicida Cas12a variant (FnoCas12a) by introducing double proline substitutions (K969P/D970P) in a conserved arginine-rich helix called the bridge helix (BH)

CRISPR-Cas technology

CRISPR-Cas technology comprises CRISPR-associated effector proteins that recognize specific DNA or RNA sequences and cleave them. In the cited review, it is presented primarily as a platform for rapid pathogen nucleic acid detection that leverages Cas trans-cleavage activity together with signal amplification and signal transformation strategies.

GFP-PHR-caspase8/Flag-CIB1N-caspase8

GFP-PHR-caspase8/Flag-CIB1N-caspase8 is a blue light-responsive two-component optogenetic caspase-8 system composed of GFP-PHR-caspase8 and Flag-CIB1N-caspase8 fusion proteins. Under blue light, the two components interact more strongly and undergo light-dependent cleavage, consistent with inducible caspase-8 activation.

PS Intein

PS Intein is a photoswitchable intein engineered by allosterically modulating the small autocatalytic gp41-1 intein with a tandem Vivid photoreceptor. It enables light control of covalent protein binding and cleavage in cells.

alkynyl-functionalized photocleavable linker

The alkynyl-functionalized photocleavable linker is a construct pattern used in caged antisense morpholino reagents, in which an ethynyl-bearing photocleavable linker is coupled to an oligonucleotide. In the caged state it inhibits DNA binding, and brief 405-nm illumination restores antisense activity through linker photocleavage.

carbon nanoparticles

Carbon nanoparticles, particularly carbon-encapsulated iron nanoparticles, were developed as a photoactivatable nanoCRISPR/Cas9 delivery harness in which photocleavable oligodeoxyribonucleotides are immobilized on the nanoparticle surface to reversibly block crRNA. UV irradiation at 365 nm cleaves the blocking oligonucleotides, releases crRNA, and restores Cas9 editing activity.

CRISPR-plus

CRISPR-plus is a light-activated CRISPR/Cas9 strategy in which guide RNA activity is suppressed by photocleavable protectors and restored by illumination. It enables optical control of genome editing and was reported to be compatible with simultaneous targeting of multiple DNA sequences.

enzymatically crosslinked marine collagen-alginate hydrogel blend

The enzymatically crosslinked marine collagen-alginate hydrogel blend is an orthogonally crosslinked composite for visible-light-triggered, on-demand BMP-2 release. It combines microbial transglutaminase-crosslinked marine collagen with leachable alginate to generate microporosity, increase oxygen diffusion, and enhance osteogenic responses in dental pulp stem cells.

lac promoter-based gene expression

This tool is a light-mediated implementation of lac promoter-based gene expression that uses photocaged isopropyl β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) as a synthetic inducer. In Corynebacterium glutamicum, it was applied for light-mediated optimization of lac promoter-driven expression and (+)-valencene biosynthesis.

light-activated plasmids

Light-activated plasmids are engineered DNA constructs in which photocleavable biotinylated nucleobases are installed at defined positions in T7 or CMV promoters and occupied by streptavidin to suppress transcription until light exposure. They were reported to control gene expression in both cell-free systems and mammalian cells.

MNI-L-lac

Here, we report the development of a photocaged derivative of L-lactate, 4-methoxy-7-nitroindolinyl-L-lactate (MNI-L-lac), that releases L-lactate upon illumination.

paGFE3

In addition, we developed a light-inducible version of GFE3, paGFE3, using a novel photoactivatable complex based on the photocleavable protein PhoCl2c. paGFE3 degrades Gephyrin and ablates inhibitory synapses in response to 400 nm light.

pc-PROTAC3

pc-PROTAC3 is a photocaged PROTAC constructed against Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) within a light-inducible protein degradation strategy. The available evidence states that this approach was successfully applied to generate pc-PROTAC3 and that photocaged PROTACs can activate degradation activity upon light exposure.

photocleavable complementary ssDNA-blocked crRNA

Photocleavable complementary ssDNA-blocked crRNA is a light-gated CRISPR/Cas12a construct design in which a photocleavable complementary single-stranded DNA transiently blocks crRNA function. In a one-pot DETECTR workflow, brief 365 nm ultraviolet exposure removes this block after recombinase polymerase amplification has progressed, thereby activating Cas12a at a controlled time.

light-activatable nanoplatforms

Light-activatable nanoplatforms are light-responsive nano-regulators designed to modulate cellular events. The reviewed systems use light input, including UV-Vis-triggered photocleavage and photoisomerization, to control biological interventions across multiple application areas.

light-responsive nano-regulators

Light-responsive nano-regulators are light-activatable nanoplatforms used to manipulate cellular functions with high spatiotemporal precision. The cited 2019 review describes their application to neuromodulation, stem cell monitoring, immunomanipulation, cancer therapy, and other biological target interventions.

randomly attached cage compounds on silencing oligonucleotides

Randomly attached cage compounds on silencing oligonucleotides are a light-responsive construct pattern described in a review of caged siRNA strategies. The available evidence indicates that cage groups are attached randomly, rather than site-specifically, to silencing oligonucleotides and are discussed in terms of their photochemical properties.

site-specifically attached cage compounds on silencing oligonucleotides

Site-specifically attached cage compounds on silencing oligonucleotides are a light-responsive construct pattern discussed for caged siRNAs. The cited review describes strategies in which photolabile cage groups are attached site-specifically, in contrast to random attachment, to control silencing oligonucleotides.

MagMboI

MagMboI is a photoactivatable split version of the type II restriction endonuclease MboI configured as a multi-component switch for light-controlled nuclease function. The supplied evidence indicates that an optimized variant, MagMboI-plus, produced stronger genome rearrangement activity than the original MagMboI in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

MagMboI-plus

MagMboI-plus is a redesigned photoactivatable endonuclease variant used as a light-controlled multi-component switch in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In vivo, blue-light activation yields slightly increased DNA-cleavage activity relative to the original MagMboI construct, but also more pronounced genomic rearrangements.

photocaged IPTG

Photocaged IPTG (cIPTG) is a light-activated synthetic inducer used with lac promoter-based bacterial expression systems. Illumination uncages the compound, enabling light-mediated derepression of lac-controlled transcription, and the approach has been applied in bacteria including Rhodobacter capsulatus and Corynebacterium glutamicum.

LOV-PvuII fusion enzyme

The LOV-PvuII fusion enzyme is a genetically encoded light-controllable endonuclease created by fusing the Avena sativa phototropin1 LOV2 photosensory domain to the restriction enzyme PvuII. In analyzed variants, blue light modulated DNA cleavage activity relative to dark conditions, with the direction of regulation determined by the fusion interface.

LOV-TAP

LOV-TAP is an artificial light-activable allosteric protein constructed by ligating the AsLOV2-Jα photoswitch to the tryptophan repressor TrpR. It is designed to regulate protein-DNA association by coupling light-triggered changes in the LOV module to structural and electrostatic changes in the interdomain region that alter DNA binding.

OptoMYPT

OptoMYPT is a blue-light-controlled multi-component optogenetic switch that couples the PP1c-binding domain of MYPT1 to an optogenetic dimerizer to recruit endogenous protein phosphatase 1c to the plasma membrane. This recruitment induces dephosphorylation of myosin regulatory light chains and reduces actomyosin contractile force.

PA-Cre 3.0

PA-Cre 3.0 is a genetically encoded photoactivatable Cre recombinase system for light-controlled recombination in mammalian cells and in vivo mouse applications. It is an updated multi-component switch engineered to reduce background recombination and improve blue-light-induced Cre activity.

photoactivatable CRISPR/Cas9 system

The photoactivatable CRISPR/Cas9 system is a light-gated genome-editing configuration comprising Cas9, either a synthetic 102-nt sgRNA or a crRNA/tracrRNA pair, and blocking photocleavable oligodeoxyribonucleotides. UV irradiation in the presence of the photomodified blocking oligodeoxyribonucleotides enables photoactivatable gene editing in vitro.

photoactivatable nanoCRISPR/Cas9 system

The photoactivatable nanoCRISPR/Cas9 system is a light-gated CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing platform built from crRNA, auxiliary photocleavable oligodeoxyribonucleotides complementary to the crRNA, and carbon nanoparticles. In this design, crRNA is immobilized in a blocked state before irradiation, and 365 nm UV exposure photocleaves the auxiliary oligonucleotides to release crRNA and restore Cas9 activity.

photoactivated CRISPR/Cas12a strategy

The photoactivated CRISPR/Cas12a strategy is a light-gated one-pot DETECTR nucleic acid detection system. It uses a photocleavable complementary ssDNA to transiently block crRNA activity during early recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and activates Cas12a after brief 365 nm ultraviolet exposure for sensitive detection.

photocaged arabinose

Photocaged arabinose comprises two one-step cleavable arabinose derivatives used as light-sensitive inducers of transcription in bacteria. Upon UV-A illumination, these compounds undergo photocleavage to release active inducer and trigger arabinose-regulated gene expression with rapid and gradual control.

SPLIT

SPLIT (Stable Protein Coacervation Using a Light Induced Transition) is a light-activated multi-component switch engineered to assemble synthetic membraneless organelles. The reported fusion protein combines maltose-binding protein, PhoCl, and two RGG domains so that light triggers a transition to an RGG-driven coacervated state.

near-infrared light activatable chemically induced split-Cas9/dCas9 system

The near-infrared light activatable chemically induced split-Cas9/dCas9 system is a multi-component CRISPR switch in which split Cas9 or dCas9 is activated through a near-infrared photocleavable dimerization complex. It is intended to provide near-infrared light-gated control of CRISPR genome editing-related activity.

NIR light-activated CRISPR-dCas9/Cas9 system

The NIR light-activated CRISPR-dCas9/Cas9 system is a multi-component optogenetic platform that controls CRISPR-dCas9/Cas9 gene regulation and editing with near-infrared light. It uses a chemically cleavable rapamycin dimer to confer precise and rapid light-dependent activity in living organisms.

pCUP1 promoter expression module

The pCUP1 promoter expression module is a light-addressable gene expression system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that couples photocaged Cu2+ to the native Cu2+-inducible pCUP1 promoter. Illumination releases Cu2+, which activates pCUP1-driven recombinant gene expression.

CiGSDME

The source describes a chemically inducible gene circuit that harnesses GSDME to trigger pyroptotic cell death on demand; the upstream web research summary states that the engineered platform is explicitly named CiGSDME.

PRCIS

Here, we report the design of a protease-responsive conformationally inhibited system (PRCIS). By intramolecularly linking the free DNA-binding domains of ATF to confined dimerized regions, the transcriptional binding is conformationally inactivated. The function of DNA binding is reinstated upon proteolytic cleavage of linkages, activating the downstream gene expressions.

TKPEI-Ce6

TKPEI-Ce6 is a red-light-activated siRNA delivery harness built from chlorin e6-conjugated, thioketal-cross-linked polyethylenimine that condenses siRNA into nanoscale complexes. Upon 660 nm irradiation, it generates reactive oxygen species and undergoes thioketal-linked nanostructure disruption, promoting endosomal escape and cytosolic siRNA release for gene silencing.

URMT

URMT is a 980 nm near-infrared light-controlled multicomponent nanoplatform for tumor applications that combines a UCNP-based photodynamic nanosystem with an engineered enzyme-activatable antisense oligonucleotide. It is surface-functionalized with triphenylphosphonium (TPP) for mitochondrial targeting and enables coupled photodynamic action and enzyme-activated gene regulation.

Components

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light-harvesting complex II

Light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) is the major chlorophyll a/b-binding photosynthetic antenna complex of plants that has been studied in isolated native and recombinant forms. The cited literature indicates that light induces reversible conformational changes in LHCII that expose its N-terminal phosphorylation site and can also promote formation of dimeric LHCII states with distinct chlorophyll excitation-quenching properties.

SpCas9

SpCas9 is the Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 CRISPR effector protein used for programmable genome editing and gene regulation. In the cited study, its activity was controlled indirectly by microRNA-dependent expression of the anti-CRISPR protein AcrIIA4, enabling cell-type-restricted activation of full-length Cas9, split-Cas9, and dCas9-VP64 variants.

AsLOV2-Jα

AsLOV2-Jα is the light-oxygen-voltage-2/Jα photoswitch domain from Avena sativa phototropin1. In the reported LOV-TAP fusion, ligation of AsLOV2-Jα to TrpR enables light-dependent control of DNA binding through photoinduced structural and electrostatic changes.

light-controlled crRNA

Light-controlled crRNA is a chemically modified CRISPR guide RNA in which vitamin E is attached to the 5' terminus through a photolabile linker, creating a caged crRNA that inactivates CRISPR/Cas9 until light exposure. Upon irradiation, this design restores CRISPR/Cas9 activity and supports genome editing of VEGFA and knockdown of EGFP expression in human cells.

eSpCas9

eSpCas9 is an increased-fidelity Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 nuclease variant used in the optimization of CRISPR-Cas9 cleavage specificity. In comparative analyses of high-fidelity SpCas9 enzymes, eSpCas9 served as one of the variants whose mutations were combined to generate hybrid HeFSpCas9 nucleases.

HeFSpCas9

HeFSpCas9 denotes engineered Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 high-fidelity nuclease variants that combine mutations from eSpCas9 and SpCas9-HF1. These variants were developed to optimize the balance between on-target cleavage activity and genome-editing specificity across different target sites.

methylated guide RNA for CRISPR-Cas12a

Methylated guide RNA for CRISPR-Cas12a is a chemically modified crRNA bearing m6A or m1A marks that suppresses Cas12a activity. The methylated guide inhibits both cis- and trans-DNA cleavage, and activity can be reactivated through guide RNA demethylation.

SpCas9 nucleases

SpCas9 nucleases in this context are increased-fidelity CRISPR-Cas9 variants generated by combining mutations from eSpCas9 and SpCas9-HF1 into HeFSpCas9 forms. They are designed to preserve RNA-guided DNA cleavage while improving genome-editing specificity in a target-dependent manner.

SpCas9-HF1

SpCas9-HF1 is an engineered high-fidelity Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 nuclease variant evaluated in comparative studies of increased-specificity SpCas9 enzymes. It is used for genome cleavage applications in which target-dependent optimization of specificity is required.

anion channelrhodopsins

Anion channelrhodopsins (ACRs) are natural light-gated anion-conducting microbial rhodopsins from cryptophyte algae used as optogenetic actuators. In cultured neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes, their expression enables light-evoked inhibitory currents, suppression of electrical activity, and shortening of action potential duration when illumination is applied during repolarization.

2A sequence

2A is a short viral oligopeptide sequence that mediates a ribosome skipping effect during translation, causing co-translational cleavage of polyproteins. It is used in heterologous co-expression systems to separate proteins of biotechnological interest from a single coding sequence.

auxiliary photocleavable oligodeoxyribonucleotides complementary to crRNA

Auxiliary photocleavable oligodeoxyribonucleotides complementary to crRNA (PC-DNAs) are inhibitory oligonucleotide components of a photoactivatable nanoCRISPR/Cas9 system. They hybridize to crRNA to suppress Cas9 function before illumination and are photocleaved by 365 nm UV light to release crRNA and restore gene-editing activity.

caged guide RNA

Caged guide RNAs are synthetic CRISPR guide RNAs containing photolabile nucleobase substitutions in the 5′ protospacer that enable light-activated control of Cas9 function. They were developed to conditionally regulate genome editing in mammalian cells and zebrafish embryos by suppressing guide RNA binding to target DNA until optical activation.

caged NF-κB DNA decoy

The caged NF-κB DNA decoy is a photoregulated oligonucleotide decoy in which photoremovable protecting groups are installed on nucleobases within an NF-κB decoy sequence. UV irradiation removes the caging groups, restores decoy hybridization and NF-κB binding activity, and enables light-controlled regulation of NF-κB-driven transcription in mammalian cells.

LHCII N-terminal domain

The LHCII N-terminal domain is the region of the light-harvesting complex II chlorophyll-protein substrate that contains the phosphothreonine site. In thylakoid studies, illumination induces a reversible conformational change that increases exposure of this N-terminal region, enabling access by endogenous thylakoid protein kinase(s) and increasing susceptibility to tryptic cleavage.

PhoCl

PhoCl is a light-responsive protein domain that cleaves upon 405 nm illumination. In the SPLIT system, it was fused between maltose-binding protein and a tandem RGG coacervation module to trigger light-induced assembly of synthetic membraneless organelles in Saccharomyces cerevisiae after a single light pulse.

phosphorothioate-caged antisense oligonucleotides

Phosphorothioate-caged antisense oligonucleotides are mixed-backbone antisense oligonucleotides in which phosphorothioate linkages are modified with 2-nitroveratryl photocages. In the caged state, these modifications suppress target RNA duplex formation and RNase H activity, and UV uncaging restores antisense function to enable light-controlled knockdown of cell-free protein synthesis.

photo-caged mRNA

Photo-caged mRNA is an mRNA engineering strategy in which small-molecule caging groups are tethered to the 5′ untranslated region to suppress translation until illumination. Photocleavage of the cages activates translation and enables single-cell spatiotemporal control in mammalian cells.

photo-sensitive circular gRNAs

Photo-sensitive circular gRNAs are cyclically caged guide RNAs that enable light-activated CRISPR/Cas9- and Cpf1-mediated genome editing. They are designed for spatiotemporal control of editing and are activated by photocleavage of the circularized guide.

photoactivatable cyclic caged morpholino oligomers

Photoactivatable cyclic caged morpholino oligomers (ccMOs) are light-responsive antisense morpholino reagents engineered in a cyclic, caged format to suppress target binding until photoactivation. In the reported design, brief 405-nm illumination photocleaves the cage and restores antisense activity, enabling spatiotemporal regulation of gene expression.

photolabile-modified small interfering RNA

Photolabile-modified small interfering RNA is a chemically caged siRNA reagent whose RNA interference activity is suppressed before illumination and restored by light exposure. Upon irradiation, the modified siRNA is released into an active state that suppresses target gene expression.

RGG domain from LAF-1

The RGG domain from LAF-1 is an intrinsically disordered coacervation-driving module used in a light-triggered synthetic condensate system. In the reported SPLIT construct, two LAF-1 RGG domains are fused with PhoCl and a maltose-binding protein solubilization domain to form tunable synthetic membraneless organelles after a single light pulse.

small interfering RNA with randomly incorporated photolabile groups

Small interfering RNA with randomly incorporated photolabile groups is a chemically modified RNAi reagent whose gene-silencing activity can be modulated by light. Available evidence indicates that siRNA can retain RNA interference activity despite certain chemical modifications, including modification at the 5′ antisense phosphate, although activity is reduced relative to native siRNA.

wavelength-selective photo-cage pair for mRNA

This tool is a pair of wavelength-selective photo-cages conjugated to the 5′-UTR of mRNA to suppress translation until illumination. Selective photocleavage with different wavelengths enables sequential optical activation of two distinct mRNAs in the same mammalian cell with single-cell spatiotemporal resolution.

caged ligands

Optical control elements can be classified according to their molecular reversibility as non-reversible phototriggers where light breaks a chemical bond (e.g. caged ligands)

negative regulatory region (NRR)

This force is generated by Epsin-mediated endocytosis of the ligand into the signal-sending cell and results in the extracellular cleavage of the force-sensing negative regulatory region (NRR) of the receptor by an ADAM10 protease on the signal-receiving cell.

photocleavable protecting groups

Light-based therapeutic and imaging modalities, which emerge in clinical applications, rely on molecular tools, such as photocleavable protecting groups and photoswitches that respond to photonic stimulus and translate it into a biological effect.