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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Light-mediated Reversible Modulation of the Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway during Cell Differentiation and Xenopus Embryonic Development
Published on: June 15, 2017
Light-mediated remote control of signaling pathways.
Melanie A Priestman1, David S Lawrence
1Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan Laboratories, Campus Box 3290, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290, USA.
Researchers developed novel light-activated intracellular probes to precisely control cell signaling. These tools revealed protein kinase C beta (PKCbeta) is crucial for cell division and cofilin
Area of Science:
- Cellular biology
- Molecular biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cell signaling networks exhibit complex temporal and spatial dynamics.
- Investigating these networks requires tools for precise temporal and spatial control of molecular activity within cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and utilize novel intracellular probes for precise temporal and spatial control of cell signaling.
- To investigate the roles of specific signaling molecules, such as PKCbeta and cofilin, in cellular processes.
Main Methods:
- Construction of photoactivatable protein kinase sensors providing fluorescent readouts upon phosphorylation.
- Development of photoactivatable proteins to initiate signaling pathways with spatiotemporal precision.
- Creation of photo-deactivatable inhibitors to control enzyme activity with light.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that protein kinase C beta (PKCbeta) is essential for nuclear envelope breakdown during cell division (prophase to metaphase transition).
- Showcased the role of cofilin as a component of the cell's steering apparatus using photoactivatable proteins.
- Validated the use of photo-deactivatable inhibitors to precisely control enzyme activity and study signaling pathways.
Conclusions:
- Light-activated intracellular probes offer unprecedented spatiotemporal control over cell signaling.
- These tools enable precise dissection of signaling pathways controlling fundamental cellular behaviors like cell division and motility.
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