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Updated: Mar 13, 2026
An Orthotopic Bladder Cancer Model for Gene Delivery Studies
Published on: December 1, 2013
An Efficient Light-Inducible P53 Expression System for Inhibiting Proliferation of Bladder Cancer Cell
Fan Lin1, Liang Dong1, Weiming Wang1
1State Engineering Laboratory of Medical Key Technologies Application of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518039, PR China.
Abstract:
Optogenetic gene expression systems enable spatial-temporal modulation of gene transcription and cell behavior. Although applications in biomedicine are emerging, the utility of optogenetic gene switches remains elusive in cancer research due to the relative low gene activation efficiency. Here, we present an optimized CRISPR-Cas9-based light-inducible gene expression device that controls gene transcription in a dose-dependent manner. To prove the potential utility of this device, P53 was tested as a functional target in the bladder cancer cell models. It was illustrated that the light-induced P53 inhibited proliferation of 5637 and UMUC-3 cell effectively. The "light-on" gene expression system may demonstrate a novel therapeutic strategy for bladder cancer intervention.
Insights
We developed a light-inducible CRISPR-Cas9 system for precise gene control. This optogenetic tool effectively inhibited bladder cancer cell proliferation by activating P53, offering a novel therapeutic strategy.
Area of Science:
- Optogenetics
- Gene Therapy
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Optogenetic gene expression systems offer spatial-temporal control over gene transcription and cellular behavior.
- Current optogenetic tools have limited gene activation efficiency, hindering their application in cancer research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an optimized CRISPR-Cas9-based light-inducible gene expression device with improved efficiency.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of this system in bladder cancer models by targeting P53.
Main Methods:
- Engineered a CRISPR-Cas9 system for light-inducible gene expression.
- Demonstrated dose-dependent control of gene transcription.
- Utilized the system to activate P53 in bladder cancer cell lines (5637 and UMUC-3).
Main Results:
- The optimized device achieved efficient, dose-dependent gene activation.
- Light-induced P53 expression effectively inhibited the proliferation of 5637 and UMUC-3 bladder cancer cells.
Conclusions:
- The developed light-inducible CRISPR-Cas9 system shows significant potential for precise gene modulation.
- This optogenetic approach presents a promising novel therapeutic strategy for bladder cancer intervention.
