Optogenetic Control of Gene Expression Using Cryptochrome 2 and a Light-Activated Degron
Carmen N Hernández-Candia1, Chandra L Tucker2
1Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
Abstract:
Optogenetic tools allow for use of light as an external input to control cellular processes. When applied to regulate the function of transcription factors, optogenetic approaches provide a tunable, reversible, and bidirectional method to control gene expression. Herein, we present a detailed method to induce gene expression in mammalian cells using the light dependent dimerization of cryptochrome 2 (CRY2) and CIB1 to complement a split transcription factor. We also describe a protocol to disrupt gene expression with light by fusing a dimeric transcription factor to CRY2. When combined with a light-induced degron attached to the gene product, this method allows for rapid modulation of target protein abundance.
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