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Kelly AR, Glover DJ. Information Transmission through Biotic-Abiotic Interfaces to Restore or Enhance Human Function. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024. [PMID: 38729914 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Advancements in reliable information transfer across biotic-abiotic interfaces have enabled the restoration of lost human function. For example, communication between neuronal cells and electrical devices restores the ability to walk to a tetraplegic patient and vision to patients blinded by retinal disease. These impactful medical achievements are aided by tailored biotic-abiotic interfaces that maximize information transfer fidelity by considering the physical properties of the underlying biological and synthetic components. This Review develops a modular framework to define and describe the engineering of biotic and abiotic components as well as the design of interfaces to facilitate biotic-abiotic information transfer using light or electricity. Delineating the properties of the biotic, interface, and abiotic components that enable communication can serve as a guide for future research in this highly interdisciplinary field. Application of synthetic biology to engineer light-sensitive proteins has facilitated the control of neural signaling and the restoration of rudimentary vision after retinal blindness. Electrophysiological methodologies that use brain-computer interfaces and stimulating implants to bypass spinal column injuries have led to the rehabilitation of limb movement and walking ability. Cellular interfacing methodologies and on-chip learning capability have been made possible by organic transistors that mimic the information processing capacity of neurons. The collaboration of molecular biologists, material scientists, and electrical engineers in the emerging field of biotic-abiotic interfacing will lead to the development of prosthetics capable of responding to thought and experiencing touch sensation via direct integration into the human nervous system. Further interdisciplinary research will improve electrical and optical interfacing technologies for the restoration of vision, offering greater visual acuity and potentially color vision in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander R Kelly
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Dominic J Glover
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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Konrad KR, Gao S, Zurbriggen MD, Nagel G. Optogenetic Methods in Plant Biology. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 74:313-339. [PMID: 37216203 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-arplant-071122-094840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetics is a technique employing natural or genetically engineered photoreceptors in transgene organisms to manipulate biological activities with light. Light can be turned on or off, and adjusting its intensity and duration allows optogenetic fine-tuning of cellular processes in a noninvasive and spatiotemporally resolved manner. Since the introduction of Channelrhodopsin-2 and phytochrome-based switches nearly 20 years ago, optogenetic tools have been applied in a variety of model organisms with enormous success, but rarely in plants. For a long time, the dependence of plant growth on light and the absence of retinal, the rhodopsin chromophore, prevented the establishment of plant optogenetics until recent progress overcame these difficulties. We summarize the recent results of work in the field to control plant growth and cellular motion via green light-gated ion channels and present successful applications to light-control gene expression with single or combined photoswitches in plants. Furthermore, we highlight the technical requirements and options for future plant optogenetic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai R Konrad
- Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Julius-von-Sachs Institute for Biosciences, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany;
| | - Shiqiang Gao
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; ,
| | - Matias D Zurbriggen
- Institute of Synthetic Biology and CEPLAS, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany;
| | - Georg Nagel
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; ,
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Jones JJ, Huang S, Hedrich R, Geilfus CM, Roelfsema MRG. The green light gap: a window of opportunity for optogenetic control of stomatal movement. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 236:1237-1244. [PMID: 36052708 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Green plants are equipped with photoreceptors that are capable of sensing radiation in the ultraviolet-to-blue and the red-to-far-red parts of the light spectrum. However, plant cells are not particularly sensitive to green light (GL), and light which lies within this part of the spectrum does not efficiently trigger the opening of stomatal pores. Here, we discuss the current knowledge of stomatal responses to light, which are either provoked via photosynthetically active radiation or by specific blue light (BL) signaling pathways. The limited impact of GL on stomatal movements provides a unique option to use this light quality to control optogenetic tools. Recently, several of these tools have been optimized for use in plant biological research, either to control gene expression, or to provoke ion fluxes. Initial studies with the BL-activated potassium channel BLINK1 showed that this tool can speed up stomatal movements. Moreover, the GL-sensitive anion channel GtACR1 can induce stomatal closure, even at conditions that provoke stomatal opening in wild-type plants. Given that crop plants in controlled-environment agriculture and horticulture are often cultivated with artificial light sources (i.e. a combination of blue and red light from light-emitting diodes), GL signals can be used as a remote-control signal that controls stomatal transpiration and water consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey J Jones
- Division of Controlled Environment Horticulture, Faculty of Life Sciences, Albrecht Daniel Thaer-Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Humboldt-University of Berlin, Berlin, 14195, Germany
| | - Shouguang Huang
- Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97082, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Rainer Hedrich
- Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97082, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christoph-Martin Geilfus
- Division of Controlled Environment Horticulture, Faculty of Life Sciences, Albrecht Daniel Thaer-Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Humboldt-University of Berlin, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Hochschule Geisenheim University, 65366, Geisenheim, Germany
| | - M Rob G Roelfsema
- Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97082, Würzburg, Germany
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Shikata H, Denninger P. Plant optogenetics: Applications and perspectives. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 68:102256. [PMID: 35780691 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2022.102256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
To understand cell biological processes, like signalling pathways, protein movements, or metabolic processes, precise tools for manipulation are desired. Optogenetics allows to control cellular processes by light and can be applied at a high temporal and spatial resolution. In the last three decades, various optogenetic applications have been developed for animal, fungal, and prokaryotic cells. However, using optogenetics in plants has been difficult due to biological and technical issues, like missing cofactors, the presence of endogenous photoreceptors, or the necessity of light for photosynthesis, which potentially activates optogenetic tools constitutively. Recently developed tools overcome these limitations, making the application of optogenetics feasible also in plants. Here, we highlight the most useful recent applications in plants and give a perspective for future optogenetic approaches in plants science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromasa Shikata
- Division of Plant Environmental Responses, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 38 Nishigonaka, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Japan; PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8, Honcho, Kawaguchi, Japan.
| | - Philipp Denninger
- Technical University of Munich, School of Life Sciences, Plant Systems Biology, Emil-Ramann-Strasse 8, 85354 Freising, Germany.
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Emiliani V, Entcheva E, Hedrich R, Hegemann P, Konrad KR, Lüscher C, Mahn M, Pan ZH, Sims RR, Vierock J, Yizhar O. Optogenetics for light control of biological systems. NATURE REVIEWS. METHODS PRIMERS 2022; 2:55. [PMID: 37933248 PMCID: PMC10627578 DOI: 10.1038/s43586-022-00136-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetic techniques have been developed to allow control over the activity of selected cells within a highly heterogeneous tissue, using a combination of genetic engineering and light. Optogenetics employs natural and engineered photoreceptors, mostly of microbial origin, to be genetically introduced into the cells of interest. As a result, cells that are naturally light-insensitive can be made photosensitive and addressable by illumination and precisely controllable in time and space. The selectivity of expression and subcellular targeting in the host is enabled by applying control elements such as promoters, enhancers and specific targeting sequences to the employed photoreceptor-encoding DNA. This powerful approach allows precise characterization and manipulation of cellular functions and has motivated the development of advanced optical methods for patterned photostimulation. Optogenetics has revolutionized neuroscience during the past 15 years and is primed to have a similar impact in other fields, including cardiology, cell biology and plant sciences. In this Primer, we describe the principles of optogenetics, review the most commonly used optogenetic tools, illumination approaches and scientific applications and discuss the possibilities and limitations associated with optogenetic manipulations across a wide variety of optical techniques, cells, circuits and organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Emiliani
- Wavefront Engineering Microscopy Group, Photonics Department, Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Emilia Entcheva
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Rainer Hedrich
- Julius-von-Sachs Institute for Biosciences, Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Peter Hegemann
- Institute for Biology, Experimental Biophysics, Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kai R. Konrad
- Julius-von-Sachs Institute for Biosciences, Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Christian Lüscher
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Clinic of Neurology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mathias Mahn
- Department of Neurobiology, Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Zhuo-Hua Pan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Ruth R. Sims
- Wavefront Engineering Microscopy Group, Photonics Department, Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Johannes Vierock
- Institute for Biology, Experimental Biophysics, Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Neuroscience Research Center, Charité – Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ofer Yizhar
- Departments of Brain Sciences and Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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Damineli DSC, Portes MT, Feijó JA. Electrifying rhythms in plant cells. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2022; 77:102113. [PMID: 35809387 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2022.102113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Physiological oscillations (or rhythms) pervade all spatiotemporal scales of biological organization, either because they perform critical functions or simply because they can arise spontaneously and may be difficult to prevent. Regardless of the case, they reflect regulatory relationships between control points of a given system and offer insights as read-outs of the concerted regulation of a myriad of biological processes. Here we review recent advances in understanding ultradian oscillations (period < 24h) in plant cells, with a special focus on single-cell oscillations. Ion channels are at the center stage due to their involvement in electrical/excitabile phenomena associated with oscillations and cell-cell communication. We highlight the importance of quantitative approaches to measure oscillations in appropriate physiological conditions, which are essential strategies to deal with the complexity of biological rhythms. Future development of optogenetics techniques in plants will further boost research on the role of membrane potential in oscillations and waves across multiple cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S C Damineli
- Department of Computer Science, Institute of Mathematics and Statistics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-090, Brazil.
| | - Maria Teresa Portes
- Department of Botany, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-090, Brazil
| | - José A Feijó
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-5815, USA
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de Grip WJ, Ganapathy S. Rhodopsins: An Excitingly Versatile Protein Species for Research, Development and Creative Engineering. Front Chem 2022; 10:879609. [PMID: 35815212 PMCID: PMC9257189 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.879609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The first member and eponym of the rhodopsin family was identified in the 1930s as the visual pigment of the rod photoreceptor cell in the animal retina. It was found to be a membrane protein, owing its photosensitivity to the presence of a covalently bound chromophoric group. This group, derived from vitamin A, was appropriately dubbed retinal. In the 1970s a microbial counterpart of this species was discovered in an archaeon, being a membrane protein also harbouring retinal as a chromophore, and named bacteriorhodopsin. Since their discovery a photogenic panorama unfolded, where up to date new members and subspecies with a variety of light-driven functionality have been added to this family. The animal branch, meanwhile categorized as type-2 rhodopsins, turned out to form a large subclass in the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors and are essential to multiple elements of light-dependent animal sensory physiology. The microbial branch, the type-1 rhodopsins, largely function as light-driven ion pumps or channels, but also contain sensory-active and enzyme-sustaining subspecies. In this review we will follow the development of this exciting membrane protein panorama in a representative number of highlights and will present a prospect of their extraordinary future potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willem J. de Grip
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Department of Biophysical Organic Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Srividya Ganapathy
- Department of Imaging Physics, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands
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Optogenetic and Chemical Induction Systems for Regulation of Transgene Expression in Plants: Use in Basic and Applied Research. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031737. [PMID: 35163658 PMCID: PMC8835832 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Continuous and ubiquitous expression of foreign genes sometimes results in harmful effects on the growth, development and metabolic activities of plants. Tissue-specific promoters help to overcome this disadvantage, but do not allow one to precisely control transgene expression over time. Thus, inducible transgene expression systems have obvious benefits. In plants, transcriptional regulation is usually driven by chemical agents under the control of chemically-inducible promoters. These systems are diverse, but usually contain two elements, the chimeric transcription factor and the reporter gene. The commonly used chemically-induced expression systems are tetracycline-, steroid-, insecticide-, copper-, and ethanol-regulated. Unlike chemical-inducible systems, optogenetic tools enable spatiotemporal, quantitative and reversible control over transgene expression with light, overcoming limitations of chemically-inducible systems. This review updates and summarizes optogenetic and chemical induction methods of transgene expression used in basic plant research and discusses their potential in field applications.
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Zhou Y, Ding M, Nagel G, Konrad KR, Gao S. Advances and prospects of rhodopsin-based optogenetics in plant research. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 187:572-589. [PMID: 35237820 PMCID: PMC8491038 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Microbial rhodopsins have advanced optogenetics since the discovery of channelrhodopsins almost two decades ago. During this time an abundance of microbial rhodopsins has been discovered, engineered, and improved for studies in neuroscience and other animal research fields. Optogenetic applications in plant research, however, lagged largely behind. Starting with light-regulated gene expression, optogenetics has slowly expanded into plant research. The recently established all-trans retinal production in plants now enables the use of many microbial opsins, bringing extra opportunities to plant research. In this review, we summarize the recent advances of rhodopsin-based plant optogenetics and provide a perspective for future use, combined with fluorescent sensors to monitor physiological parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhou
- Institute of Physiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg 97070, Germany
| | - Meiqi Ding
- Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Julius-von-Sachs-Institute, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg 97082, Germany
| | - Georg Nagel
- Institute of Physiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg 97070, Germany
| | - Kai R. Konrad
- Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Julius-von-Sachs-Institute, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg 97082, Germany
| | - Shiqiang Gao
- Institute of Physiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg 97070, Germany
- Author for communication:
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Huang S, Ding M, Roelfsema MRG, Dreyer I, Scherzer S, Al-Rasheid KAS, Gao S, Nagel G, Hedrich R, Konrad KR. Optogenetic control of the guard cell membrane potential and stomatal movement by the light-gated anion channel GtACR1. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/28/eabg4619. [PMID: 34244145 PMCID: PMC8270491 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg4619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Guard cells control the aperture of plant stomata, which are crucial for global fluxes of CO2 and water. In turn, guard cell anion channels are seen as key players for stomatal closure, but is activation of these channels sufficient to limit plant water loss? To answer this open question, we used an optogenetic approach based on the light-gated anion channelrhodopsin 1 (GtACR1). In tobacco guard cells that express GtACR1, blue- and green-light pulses elicit Cl- and NO3 - currents of -1 to -2 nA. The anion currents depolarize the plasma membrane by 60 to 80 mV, which causes opening of voltage-gated K+ channels and the extrusion of K+ As a result, continuous stimulation with green light leads to loss of guard cell turgor and closure of stomata at conditions that provoke stomatal opening in wild type. GtACR1 optogenetics thus provides unequivocal evidence that opening of anion channels is sufficient to close stomata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shouguang Huang
- Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Julius-von-Sachs Institute for Biosciences, Biocenter, Würzburg University, Julius-von-Sachs-Platz 2, D-97082 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Meiqi Ding
- Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Julius-von-Sachs Institute for Biosciences, Biocenter, Würzburg University, Julius-von-Sachs-Platz 2, D-97082 Würzburg, Germany
| | - M Rob G Roelfsema
- Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Julius-von-Sachs Institute for Biosciences, Biocenter, Würzburg University, Julius-von-Sachs-Platz 2, D-97082 Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Ingo Dreyer
- Center of Bioinformatics, Simulation and Modeling (CBSM), Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de Talca, 2 Norte 685, 3460000 Talca, Chile
| | - Sönke Scherzer
- Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Julius-von-Sachs Institute for Biosciences, Biocenter, Würzburg University, Julius-von-Sachs-Platz 2, D-97082 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Khaled A S Al-Rasheid
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, 11451 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shiqiang Gao
- Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Julius-von-Sachs Institute for Biosciences, Biocenter, Würzburg University, Julius-von-Sachs-Platz 2, D-97082 Würzburg, Germany
- Institute of Physiology, Würzburg University, Röntgenring 9, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Georg Nagel
- Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Julius-von-Sachs Institute for Biosciences, Biocenter, Würzburg University, Julius-von-Sachs-Platz 2, D-97082 Würzburg, Germany
- Institute of Physiology, Würzburg University, Röntgenring 9, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Rainer Hedrich
- Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Julius-von-Sachs Institute for Biosciences, Biocenter, Würzburg University, Julius-von-Sachs-Platz 2, D-97082 Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Kai R Konrad
- Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Julius-von-Sachs Institute for Biosciences, Biocenter, Würzburg University, Julius-von-Sachs-Platz 2, D-97082 Würzburg, Germany.
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