A single-chain and fast-responding light-inducible Cre recombinase as a novel optogenetic switch

A single-chain and fast-responding light-inducible Cre recombinase as a novel optogenetic switch

Fri, 12/03/2021

Publication

Publication of LBMC in eLife on February 23, 2021.

Abstract

Optogenetics enables genome manipulations with high spatiotemporal resolution, opening exciting possibilities for fundamental and applied biological research. Here, we report the development of LiCre, a novel light-inducible Cre recombinase. LiCre is made of a single flavin-containing protein comprising the AsLOV2 photoreceptor domain of Avena sativa fused to a Cre variant carrying destabilizing mutations in its N-terminal and C-terminal domains. LiCre can be activated within minutes of illumination with blue light, without the need of additional chemicals. When compared to existing photoactivatable Cre recombinases based on two split units, LiCre displayed faster and stronger activation by light as well as a lower residual activity in the dark. LiCre was efficient both in yeast, where it allowed us to control the production of β-carotene with light, and in human cells. Given its simplicity and performances, LiCre is particularly suited for fundamental and biomedical research, as well as for controlling industrial bioprocesses.

Source: A single-chain and fast-responding Light-Inducible Cre recombinase as a novel optogenetic switch. Duplus-Bottin H, Spichty M, Triqueneaux G, Place C, Mangeot PE, Ohlmann T, Vittoz F and Yvert G. eLife, February 23, 2021.

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