Rapid and permanent neuronal inactivation in vivo via subcellular generation of reactive oxygen with the use of KillerRed.

ABSTRACT: Inactivation of selected neurons in vivo can define their contribution to specific developmental outcomes, circuit functions, and behaviors. Here, we show that the optogenetic tool KillerRed selectively, rapidly, and permanently inactivates different classes of neurons in C. elegans in response to a single light stimulus, through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Ablation scales from individual neurons in single animals to multiple neurons in populations and can be applied to freely behaving animals. Using spatially restricted illumination, we demonstrate that localized KillerRed activation in either the cell body or the axon triggers neuronal degeneration and death of the targeted cell. Finally, targeting KillerRed to mitochondria results in organelle fragmentation without

SUBMITTER: Williams DC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3877846 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature