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Photoactivated Adenylyl Cyclases as Optogenetic Modulators of Neuronal Activity

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Photoswitching Proteins

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1148))

Abstract

In recent years, optogenetic methods became invaluable tools, particularly in neurobiological research. Most prominently, optogenetic methods utilize microbial rhodopsins to elicit neuronal de- or hyperpolarization. However, other optogenetic tools have emerged that allow influencing neuronal function by different approaches. In this chapter we describe the use of photoactivated adenylyl cyclases (PACs) as modulators of neuronal activity. Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism, this chapter shows how to measure the effect of PAC photoactivation by behavioral and electrophysiological assays, as well as their significance to neurobiology.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biochemistry and Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 15; room 1.652, D-60438, Frankfurt, Germany

    Wagner Steuer Costa, Jana Liewald & Alexander Gottschalk

Authors
  1. Wagner Steuer Costa
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  2. Jana Liewald
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  3. Alexander Gottschalk
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alexander Gottschalk .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

    Sidney Cambridge

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Costa, W.S., Liewald, J., Gottschalk, A. (2014). Photoactivated Adenylyl Cyclases as Optogenetic Modulators of Neuronal Activity. In: Cambridge, S. (eds) Photoswitching Proteins. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1148. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0470-9_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0470-9_11

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-0469-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-0470-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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