Scientists can control brain circuits, behavior, and emotion using light


Date:
November 30, 2021
Source:
Institute for Basic Science
Summary:
Scientists can control brain circuits, behavior, and emotion
using light.

Researchers developed a new optogenetic tool, 'Opto-vTrap', which
is expected to contribute to treatment for epilepsy, muscle spasms,
and skin wrinkles.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Controlling signal transmission and reception within the brain circuits
is necessary for neuroscientists to achieve a better understanding of
the brain's functions. Communication among neuron and glial cells is
mediated by various neurotransmitters being released from the vesicles
through exocytosis. Thus, regulating vesicular exocytosis can be a
possible strategy to control and understand brain circuits.


========================================================================== However, it has been difficult to freely control the activity of brain
cells in a spatiotemporal manner using pre-existing techniques. One
is an indirect approach that involves artificially controlling the
membrane potential of cells, but it comes with problems of changing the
acidity of the surrounding environment or causing unwanted misfiring
of neurons. Moreover, it is not applicable for use in cells that do not
respond to the membrane potential changes, such as glial cells.

To address this problem, South Korean researchers led by Director
C. Justin LEE at the Center for Cognition and Sociality within the
Institute for Basic Science (IBS) and professor HEO Won Do at Korea
Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) developed Opto-vTrap,
a light-inducible and reversible inhibition system that can temporarily
trap vesicles from being released from brain cells. Opto-vTrap directly
targets transmitters containing vesicles, and it can be used in various
types of brain cells, even the ones that do not respond to membrane
potential changes.

In order to directly control the exocytotic vesicles, the research
team applied a technology they previously developed in 2014, called light-activated reversible inhibition by assembled trap (LARIAT). This
platform can inactivate various types of proteins when illuminated
under blue light by instantly trapping the target proteins, like a
lariat. Opto-vTrap was developed by applying this LARIAT platform to
vesicle exocytosis. When the Opto-vTrap expressing cells or tissues are
shined under blue light, the vesicles form clusters and become trapped
within the cells, inhibiting the release of transmitters.

Most importantly, the inhibition triggered using this new technique is temporary, which is very important for neuroscience research. Other
previous techniques that target vesicle fusion proteins damage
them permanently and disable the target neuron for up to 24 hours,
which is not appropriate for many behavioral experiments with short
time constraints. By comparison, vesicles that were inactivated using Opto-vTrap decluster in about 15 minutes, and the neurons regain their
full functions within an hour.

Opto-vTrap directly controls the signal transmitters' release, enabling
the researchers to freely control brain activity. The research team
verified the usability of Opto-vTrap in cultured cells and brain tissue
slices. Furthermore, they tested the technique in live mice, which enabled
them to temporarily remove fear memory from fear-conditioned animals.

In the future, Opto-vTrap will be used to uncover complex interactions
between multiple parts of the brain. It will be a highly useful tool
for studying how certain brain cell types affect brain function in
different circumstances.

Professor Heo stated, "Since Opto-vTrap can be used in various cell
types, it is expected to be helpful in various fields of brain science research," He explained, "We plan to conduct a study to figure out
the spatiotemporal brain functions in various brain cell types in a
specific environment using Opto- vTrap technology." "The usability of Opto-vTrap can extend not only to neuroscience but also to our lives,"
explains Director Lee. He added, "Opto-vTrap will contribute not
only to elucidate brain circuit mapping but also epilepsy treatment,
muscle spasm treatment, and skin tissue expansion technologies." ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Institute_for_Basic_Science. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Joungha Won, Yuriy Pankratov, Minwoo Wendy Jang, Sunpil Kim,
Yeonha Ju,
Sangkyu Lee, Seung Eun Lee, Arie Kim, Soowon Park, C. Justin Lee*
and Won Do Heo. Opto-vTrap, an optogenetic trap for reversible
inhibition of vesicular release, synaptic transmission, and
behavior. Neuron, 2021 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.11.003 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/11/211130112506.htm

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