Optogenetic engineering for ion channel modulation
- Curr Opin Chem Biol. 2025 Apr:85:102569. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.102569.
- 1. Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
- 2. Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
- 3. Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; Department of Translational Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
Optogenetics, which integrates photonics and genetic engineering to control protein activity and cellular processes, has transformed biomedical research. Its precise spatiotemporal control, minimal invasiveness, and tunable reversibility have spurred its widespread adoption in both basic and clinical research. Optogenetic techniques have been applied to partially restore vision in blind patients and are being actively explored as innovative treatments for neurological, psychiatric, cardiac, and immunological disorders. Microbial channelrhodopsins (ChRs) allow precise manipulation of neuronal and cardiac activities, while vertebrate rhodopsins offer unique opportunities for ion channel modulation through G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) pathways. Plant-derived photoswitchable domains can also be engineered into ion channels to confer photosensitivity. This review summarizes the latest progress in engineering genetically encoded light-sensitive ion channel actuators and modulators (GELICAMs) with diverse ion selectivity and spectral sensitivity. We further discuss the potential applications and challenges of these tools in advancing biomedical research and therapeutic interventions.