Manipulation of Neural Activity Flashcards
Why is retina light inducing neural activity slow?
The receptors are metabotropic (light sensing neruons are GPCRs)
Why is optogenetics good?
Gives a direct connection to neural activity
Why is optogenetics immediate?
Light sensitive protein bacteria are ionotropic = open immediately with exposure to light
What is channelrhodopsin-2?
a transmembrane protein that binds to the trans-retinal, and is permeable to Na+ (and Ca2+).
What does channelrhodopsin-2 respond to?
Blue light
What is halorhodpsin
a channel that responds to yellow light.
What are the benefits of optogenetics?
Specific targeting
electricity activates all electrically excitable cells
What must be kept in mind when using thermogenetics?
- the shifts in temperature must be small, to avoid general physiological effects
- The temperature used should be compatible with the physiology of the anima
What is Trpa1 (transient receptor potential)?
a cation channel, present in neurons.
- It is a detector of temperature and more channels are activated with an increasing temperature.
What is Gal4?
a DNA sequence that causes TrpA1 overexpression and an alteration in the excitatory-inhibitory balance.
When does TrpA1 begin to be activated?
At 25C
