In-silico predicted mouse melanopsins with blue spectral shifts deliver efficient subcellular signaling.

ABSTRACT: Melanopsin is a photopigment belonging to the G Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR) family expressed in a subset of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) and responsible for a variety of processes. The bistability and, thus, the possibility to function under low retinal availability would make melanopsin a powerful optogenetic tool. Here, we aim to utilize mouse melanopsin to trigger macrophage migration by its subcellular optical activation with localized blue light, while simultaneously imaging the migration with red light. To reduce melanopsin's red light sensitivity, we employ a combination of in silico structure prediction and automated quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics modeling to predict minimally invasive mutations to shift its absorption spectrum towards the

SUBMITTER: Wijayaratna D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11312219 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature