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Light-Controlled Modulation and Analysis of Neuronal Functions II
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Light-Controlled Modulation and Analysis of Neuronal Functions II

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2023) | Viewed by 13529

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Piotr Bregestovski

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, Aix-Marseille University, INSERM, INS, 13005 Marseille, France
2. Institute of Neurosciences, Kazan State Medical University, 420111 Kazan, Russia
3. Department of Normal Physiology, Kazan State Medical University, 420111 Kazan, Russia
Interests: cys-loop receptors; ion channels; synaptic transmission; genetically encoded biosensors; optopharmacology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Carlo Matera

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Via L. Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy
Interests: medicinal chemistry; chemical biology; photopharmacology; translational chemistry; GPCRs; biased signaling; ion channels; acetylcholine; muscarinic receptors; nicotinic receptors; dopamine; dopamine receptors; multi-target ligands; bifunctional ligands; dual-acting agents; dualsteric ligands; bitopic ligands; photoswitches; cancer; antibiotics; neurodegeneration
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Contemporary research has been enriched by new directions in which light plays a key role as a tool for the modulation of cellular activity and the invasive monitoring of intracellular ions and other components. The progress in molecular biology, imaging techniques and other modern technologies has led to the emergence of three main areas in which light is the main tool: optogenetics, photopharmacology and optosensorics. The main advantages of these approaches are the possibilities to investigate the functions of cells; modulate the activity of ion channels, synaptic transmission and neuronal circuits; measure concentrations of ions and other cellular components; and even control the behaviour of organisms. 
Due to the development of these powerful molecular and genetic tools, our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the functioning of the nervous system has greatly advanced. This Special Issue is intended to highlight the latest experimental and methodological advances in these areas, as well as to present review articles with a primary focus on light-based analysis and control of neuronal functions. A discussion of the difficulties and limitations of using light as a modulator of cellular activity is also planned.

Prof. Dr. Piotr Bregestovski
Dr. Carlo Matera
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • light-controlled molecular switches
  • molecular engineering
  • photopharmacology
  • chemical optogenetics
  • azo compounds
  • optogenetics
  • photochromic ligands
  • biosensors
  • genetically encoded biosensors
  • synaptic transmission
  • receptors
  • ion channels
  • light-activated channels
  • light delivery
  • light therapy
  • transgenic mouse

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 2626 KiB  
Article
Photons Induce Vesicular Exocytotic Release of Glutamate in a Power-Dependent Way
by Chiara Cervetto, Andrea Amaroli, Sarah Amato, Elena Gatta, Alberto Diaspro, Guido Maura, Antonio Signore, Stefano Benedicenti and Manuela Marcoli
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(13), 10977; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241310977 - 1 Jul 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2195
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that photobiomodulation, based on tissue irradiation with photons in the red to near-infrared spectrum, may be an effective therapeutic approach to central nervous system disorders. Although nervous system functionality has been shown to be affected by photons in animal models, [...] Read more.
Increasing evidence indicates that photobiomodulation, based on tissue irradiation with photons in the red to near-infrared spectrum, may be an effective therapeutic approach to central nervous system disorders. Although nervous system functionality has been shown to be affected by photons in animal models, as well as in preliminary evidence in healthy subjects or in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders, the mechanisms involved in the photobiomodulation effects have not yet been clarified. We previously observed that photobiomodulation could stimulate glutamate release. Here, we investigate mechanisms potentially involved in the glutamate-releasing effect of photons from adult mouse cerebrocortical nerve terminals. We report evidence of photon ability to induce an exocytotic vesicular release of glutamate from the terminals of glutamatergic neurons in a power-dependent way. It can be hypothesized that photobiomodulation, depending on the potency, can release glutamate in a potentially neurotoxic or physiological range. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light-Controlled Modulation and Analysis of Neuronal Functions II)
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11 pages, 2322 KiB  
Article
Action of the Photochrome Glyght on GABAergic Synaptic Transmission in Mouse Brain Slices
by Elena Petukhova, Daria Ponomareva, Karin Rustler, Burkhard Koenig and Piotr Bregestovski
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(18), 10553; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231810553 - 12 Sep 2022
Viewed by 2261
Abstract
Glyght is a new photochromic compound described as an effective modulator of glycine receptors at heterologous expression, in brain slices and in zebrafish larvae. Glyght also caused weak inhibition of GABAA-mediated currents in a cell line expressing α1/β2/γ2 GABAA receptors. [...] Read more.
Glyght is a new photochromic compound described as an effective modulator of glycine receptors at heterologous expression, in brain slices and in zebrafish larvae. Glyght also caused weak inhibition of GABAA-mediated currents in a cell line expressing α1/β2/γ2 GABAA receptors. However, the effects of Glyght on GABAergic transmission in the brain have not been analysed, which does not allow a sufficiently comprehensive assessment of the effects of the compound on the nervous system. Therefore, in this study using whole-cell patch-clamp recording, we analysed the Glyght (100 µM) action on evoked GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents (eIPSCs) in mice hippocampal slices. Two populations of cells were found: the first responded by reducing the GABAergic eIPSCs’ amplitude, whereas the second showed no sensitivity to the compound. Glyght did not affect the ionic currents’ amplitude induced by GABA application, suggesting the absence of action on postsynaptic GABA receptors. Additionally, Glyght had no impact on the paired-pulse modulation of GABAergic eIPSCs, indicating that Glyght does not modulate the neurotransmitter release mechanisms. In the presence of strychnine, an antagonist of glycine receptors, the Glyght effect on GABAergic synaptic transmission was absent. Our results suggest that Glyght can modulate GABAergic synaptic transmission via action on extrasynaptic glycine receptors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light-Controlled Modulation and Analysis of Neuronal Functions II)
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Review

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31 pages, 1668 KiB  
Review
Studying Synaptic Connectivity and Strength with Optogenetics and Patch-Clamp Electrophysiology
by Louisa E. Linders, Laura. F. Supiot, Wenjie Du, Roberto D’Angelo, Roger A. H. Adan, Danai Riga and Frank J. Meye
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(19), 11612; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231911612 - 1 Oct 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 8170
Abstract
Over the last two decades the combination of brain slice patch clamp electrophysiology with optogenetic stimulation has proven to be a powerful approach to analyze the architecture of neural circuits and (experience-dependent) synaptic plasticity in such networks. Using this combination of methods, originally [...] Read more.
Over the last two decades the combination of brain slice patch clamp electrophysiology with optogenetic stimulation has proven to be a powerful approach to analyze the architecture of neural circuits and (experience-dependent) synaptic plasticity in such networks. Using this combination of methods, originally termed channelrhodopsin-assisted circuit mapping (CRACM), a multitude of measures of synaptic functioning can be taken. The current review discusses their rationale, current applications in the field, and their associated caveats. Specifically, the review addresses: (1) How to assess the presence of synaptic connections, both in terms of ionotropic versus metabotropic receptor signaling, and in terms of mono- versus polysynaptic connectivity. (2) How to acquire and interpret measures for synaptic strength and function, like AMPAR/NMDAR, AMPAR rectification, paired-pulse ratio (PPR), coefficient of variance and input-specific quantal sizes. We also address how synaptic modulation by G protein-coupled receptors can be studied with pharmacological approaches and advanced technology. (3) Finally, we elaborate on advances on the use of dual color optogenetics in concurrent investigation of multiple synaptic pathways. Overall, with this review we seek to provide practical insights into the methods used to study neural circuits and synapses, by combining optogenetics and patch-clamp electrophysiology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light-Controlled Modulation and Analysis of Neuronal Functions II)
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