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

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.