Citation
- Authors: Niopek, D., Wehler, P., Roensch, J., Eils, R., Di Ventura, B.
- Year: 2016
- Journal: Nat Commun 7 10624
- Applications: in vitro / DNA / jetPRIME
- Cell types:
- Name: HEK-293T
Description: Human embryonic kidney Fibroblast
Known as: HEK293T, 293T - Name: HeLa
Description: Human cervix epitheloid carcinoma cells - Name: Hepa 1-6
Description: Mouse hepatocellular carcinoma cells
- Name: HEK-293T
Abstract
Active nucleocytoplasmic transport is a key mechanism underlying protein regulation in eukaryotes. While nuclear protein import can be controlled in space and time with a portfolio of optogenetic tools, protein export has not been tackled so far. Here we present a light-inducible nuclear export system (LEXY) based on a single, genetically encoded tag, which enables precise spatiotemporal control over the export of tagged proteins. A constitutively nuclear, chromatin-anchored LEXY variant expands the method towards light inhibition of endogenous protein export by sequestering cellular CRM1 receptors. We showcase the utility of LEXY for cell biology applications by regulating a synthetic repressor as well as human p53 transcriptional activity with light. LEXY is a powerful addition to the optogenetic toolbox, allowing various novel applications in synthetic and cell biology.