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Light-inducible receptor tyrosine kinases that regulate neurotrophin signalling

Ki-Young Chang1, Doyeon Woo2, Hyunjin Jung3

  • 11] Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea [2] Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea [3].

Nature Communications
|June 5, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Scientists developed light-controllable receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) for precise cell signaling control. Blue light activates Trk signaling, enabling spatiotemporal manipulation of cellular processes in vitro and in vivo.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Signaling
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are crucial cell-surface receptors regulating vital cellular processes.
  • Precise control over RTK signaling is essential for understanding and manipulating cellular functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a genetically encoded, photoactivatable Trk (tropomyosin-related kinase) receptor system.
  • To enable precise spatiotemporal control of RTK signaling using blue light.

Main Methods:

  • Engineered photoactivatable Trk receptors using Arabidopsis thaliana cryptochrome 2.
  • Utilized blue-light stimulation (488 nm) to activate Trk signaling in mammalian cells.
  • Investigated transient and sustained signaling activation, spatial restriction, and cell-specific induction.

Main Results:

  • Blue-light stimulation robustly upregulated canonical Trk signaling.
  • Signaling activation was transient, reversible, and tunable with light pulses.
  • Light-induced signaling occurred in a spatially restricted and cell-specific manner.
  • Sustained activation promoted neurite outgrowth and filopodia formation in neurons.

Conclusions:

  • Developed a novel system for light-inducible control of Trk RTK signaling.
  • Demonstrated spatiotemporal manipulation of cellular processes, including neuronal morphology.
  • This technology offers new experimental avenues for studying and controlling biological processes in vitro and in vivo.

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