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DONGMIN's LAB
Optogenetics and Synthetic biology for Neuroscience
iTango
Inducible Tango system
Let's dance iTango with Dopamine and BLUE-light
We developed iTango (inducible Tango) system to label and control the sub-population of neurons which were activated by neuromodulation.
We combined optogenetic modules, split TEVprotease, and beta-Arrestin recruitment system to design light-gated GPCR monitoring system.
iTango provides high spatio-temporal resolution of gene-expression to study neural circuit and plasticity relating neromodulation.
Recently, we published iTango project, you can get more information in Nature Methods website.
illustrated by Dongmin Lee
![iTango](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5322e4_71388ae03aaf454489e8a2d81dfda617~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_324,h_298,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5322e4_71388ae03aaf454489e8a2d81dfda617~mv2.jpg)
![How iTango works](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5322e4_1a21b570a0934364a0903263b6581122~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_900,h_333,al_c,q_80,enc_auto/5322e4_1a21b570a0934364a0903263b6581122~mv2.jpg)
How iTango works ?
STEP 01
STEP 02
STEP 03
iTango system is consist of two synthetic proteins (betaArrestin-TEV-C and DRD2-V2tail-TEV-N-AsLOV2-TEVseq-tTA) and a single reporter vector with a tetracycline response element.
After blue-light shining, AsLOV2 module release its Ja helix outside. It allows free access of TEVp specific cleavage sequence.
When ligand binds to GPCR receptors, beta-arestin-TEV-C binds to GPCR receptors. This interaction induces TEVproteas-dependent proteolytic cleavage of tTA. Cleaved tTA translocates into nucleus and express reporter proteins such as EGFP.