New dopamine sensors could help unlock the mysteries of brain chemistry
Researchers develop a wider spectrum for dLight1 sensor, allowing
multiplex imaging of neurotransmitters

Date:
September 15, 2020
Source:
University of California - Davis Health
Summary:
Scientists developed dLight1, a single fluorescent protein-based
biosensor. This sensor allows high resolution, real-time imaging of
the spatial and temporal release of dopamine in live animals. Now,
the team expanded the color spectrum of dLight1 to YdLight1 and
RdLight1. The increased light penetration and imaging depth of
these variants provide enhanced dopamine signal quality allowing
researchers to optically dissect dopamine's release and model its
effects on neural circuits.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
In 2018, Lin Tian and her team at UC Davis Health developed dLight1,
a single fluorescent protein-based biosensor. This family of highly
specific sensors detects dopamine, a hormone released by neurons to send signals to other nerve cells. When combined with advanced microscopy,
dLight1 provides high resolution, real-time imaging of the spatial and
temporal release of dopamine in live animals.


========================================================================== Recently, Tian and her team succeeded in expanding the color spectrum of
the dLight1 sensor. In an article published Sept. 7 in Nature Methods,
they introduced two new spectral variants of dLight1: the yellow YdLight1
and the red RdLight1.

"The new sensors will help researchers to detect and monitor different information processing activities in the brain," said Lin Tian,
associate professor of biochemistry and molecular medicine and the lead
author on the study. "With the different colors, we will be able to see multiple neurochemical release and neural activities at the same time."
The RdLight1 permits the simultaneous assessment of dopamine, pre- or
post- synaptic neuronal activity and the glutamate release in specific
types of cells and neuronal projections in animals. Its increased
light penetration and imaging depth provide enhanced dopamine signal
quality. This allows researchers to optically dissect dopamine's release
and model its effects on neural circuits.

As a neurotransmitter, dopamine plays an important role in movement,
attention, learning and the brain's pleasure and reward system.

"These exciting new tools opened a new door to developing color-shifted neurochemical indicators. Together with other tools, they have great
potential to unlock the mysteries of brain chemistry in health and
disease," Tian said.

"The knowledge we gain from these sensors will facilitate the development
of safer next-generation therapies to neuropsychiatric disorders such
as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and addiction."

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by
University_of_California_-_Davis_Health. Note: Content may be edited
for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Tommaso Patriarchi, Ali Mohebi, Junqing Sun, Aaron Marley,
Ruqiang Liang,
Chunyang Dong, Kyle Puhger, Grace Or Mizuno, Carolyn M. Davis,
Brian Wiltgen, Mark von Zastrow, Joshua D. Berke, Lin Tian. An
expanded palette of dopamine sensors for multiplex imaging in
vivo. Nature Methods, 2020; DOI: 10.1038/s41592-020-0936-3 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200915133151.htm

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