FLIRT: fast local infrared thermogenetics for subcellular control of protein function. (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hirsch, Sophia; Sundaramoorthy, Sriramkumar; Davies, Tim; Zhuravlev, Yelena; Waters, Jennifer; Shirasu-Hiza, Mimi; Dumont, Julien; Canman, Julie
• Is Part Of: Nature methods. Volume 15:Number 11(2018)
• Page Start: 921
• Page End: 923
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: Life sciences -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Biology -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Biology -- Research -- Periodicals; 570.72
• DOI: 10.1038/s41592-018-0168-y
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1548-7091

Abstract

Abstract FLIRT (fast local infrared thermogenetics) is a microscopy-based technology to locally and reversibly manipulate protein function while simultaneously monitoring the effects in vivo. FLIRT locally inactivates fast-acting temperature-sensitive mutant proteins. We demonstrate that FLIRT can control temperature-sensitive proteins required for cell division, Delta–Notch cell fate signaling, and germline structure inCaenorhabditis elegans with cell-specific and even subcellular precision. FLIRT enables spatiotemporally precise control of protein function inC. elegans by harnessing existing temperature-sensitive mutations. Proteins can be inactivated at desired sites by infrared laser light targeted to the region(s) of interest.