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Light-Regulated Transcription of a Mitochondrial-Targeted K⁺ Channel

Engel, Anja J. ; Winterstein, Laura-Marie ; Kithil, Marina ; Langhans, Markus ; Moroni, Anna ; Thiel, Gerhard (2021):
Light-Regulated Transcription of a Mitochondrial-Targeted K⁺ Channel. (Publisher's Version)
In: Cells, 9 (11), MDPI, e-ISSN 2073-4409,
DOI: 10.26083/tuprints-00019269,
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Item Type: Article
Origin: Secondary publication via sponsored Golden Open Access
Status: Publisher's Version
Title: Light-Regulated Transcription of a Mitochondrial-Targeted K⁺ Channel
Language: English
Abstract:

The inner membranes of mitochondria contain several types of K⁺ channels, which modulate the membrane potential of the organelle and contribute in this way to cytoprotection and the regulation of cell death. To better study the causal relationship between K⁺ channel activity and physiological changes, we developed an optogenetic platform for a light-triggered modulation of K⁺ conductance in mitochondria. By using the light-sensitive interaction between cryptochrome 2 and the regulatory protein CIB1, we can trigger the transcription of a small and highly selective K⁺ channel, which is in mammalian cells targeted into the inner membrane of mitochondria. After exposing cells to very low intensities (≤0.16 mW/mm²) of blue light, the channel protein is detectable as an accumulation of its green fluorescent protein (GFP) tag in the mitochondria less than 1 h after stimulation. This system allows for an in vivo monitoring of crucial physiological parameters of mitochondria, showing that the presence of an active K⁺ channel causes a substantial depolarization compatible with the effect of an uncoupler. Elevated K⁺ conductance also results in a decrease in the Ca²⁺ concentration in the mitochondria but has no impact on apoptosis.

Journal or Publication Title: Cells
Volume of the journal: 9
Issue Number: 11
Publisher: MDPI
Collation: 16 Seiten
Classification DDC: 500 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik > 570 Biowissenschaften, Biologie
Divisions: 10 Department of Biology > Plant Membrane Biophysics
Date Deposited: 09 Aug 2021 07:46
Last Modified: 09 Aug 2021 07:47
DOI: 10.26083/tuprints-00019269
Corresponding Links:
URN: urn:nbn:de:tuda-tuprints-192690
URI: https://tuprints.ulb.tu-darmstadt.de/id/eprint/19269
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