光遗传学技术——控制神经元活动的“开关”

Optogenetic technique——A switch of controlling the activities of neurons

光遗传学技术利用转基因重组病毒,将能够分别选择性地使阳离子或阴离子透过细胞膜的光敏感通道蛋白等可见光控蛋白表达在神经元细胞膜上;使用不同波长和频率的脉冲激光照射可使这些蛋白分别兴奋,引起阳离子或阴离子跨过细胞膜流动,导致由神经元的膜电位变化引起的兴奋或抑制,即通过光控蛋白给神经元装上开关,用激光照射控制神经元活动的"开"与"关",达到选择性控制神经元活动的目的。该项技术具有独特的高时空分辨率和细胞类型特异性两大特点,克服了传统上使用电刺激控制细胞或有机体活动的诸多缺点,为神经科学提供了一种全新的研究手段。使用光遗传学技术开展研究,能够使我们更好地了解神经通路和局部环路以及神经系统疾病的发病机制,推动我们对人脑奥秘的了解和神经科学的进步。

Optogenetic technique is able to make selectively cation or anion pass through the visible light-gated proteins, such as channelrhodopsin, which are expressed on neuronal membrane by infection of the generically recombinant virus. The stimulation of laser pulses of various wavelengths and frequencies excites these proteins and causes the cation or anion to flow across the cell membrane, resulting in the excitation or inhibition caused by the changes of neuronal membrane potential. That is equivalent to installing a switch to neuron through the light-gated protein. Using laser irradiation to control ＂on＂ and ＂off＂ in the activity of neuron helps to achieve the selective control of neuronal activity. The technology possesses two characteristics： high spatial resolution and specificity to neuronal types. It can overcome many shortcomings of traditional techniques which use electrical stimulation to control the activities of the neuron or organism, and provide a revolutionary means for the research of neuroscience. Using optogcnetic technique to carry out research not only provides us a better understanding of the neural pathways, the local circuits and the pathogenesis of neurological diseases, but also promotes the understanding of the human brain secret and the progress of neuroscience.