Chemogenetic tools to interrogate brain functions.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Understanding brain function requires elucidating neuronal cell type roles in physiology and behavior.
• Perturbing neuronal electrical activity is key to probing causal relationships between cell types and behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe recent advances in chemogenetics for remotely controlling neuron function.
• To highlight the development of genetically engineered receptors for selective small molecule interaction.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing genetically encoded tools to develop engineered receptors for neuron perturbation.
• Targeting these receptors to specific cell types using genetic methods.
• Employing small molecules to activate engineered receptors and control neuron function.

Main Results:

• Chemogenetics provides selective pharmacological control over molecularly defined cell types.
• Engineered receptors facilitate control over diverse cell-signaling processes, including electrical activity.
• These tools have uncovered specific physiological and behavioral influences of distinct cell types.

Conclusions:

• Chemogenetics is a powerful approach for dissecting the functions of specific neuronal populations.
• This technology allows for precise investigation of cell-type-specific contributions to complex behaviors.
• Future research can leverage chemogenetics to further unravel brain circuitry and function.