Research Materials

OptoRyR - Light-induced opening of Ryanodine receptors

Ref.-No. 5680

Keywords: Ryanodine receptor, Channelrhodopsin, Calcium-signaling, Cardiology, Neurology Light-induced

The ryanodine receptor (RyR) Ca2+ release channel resides in the largest membrane organelle, the sarco-/endoplasmic reticulum (SR/ER), where it plays an important role in Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release (CICR). CICR is an essential signaling process for all excitable cells, particularly neurons and cardiomyocytes to maintain physiological functions without which life is not possible. lmportantly, abnormally increased RyR channel activity, for example during the resting phase of cardiomyocytes, contributes to a "leak" flux of Ca2+ ions from the SR/ER organelle to the cytosol which may induce  intracellular Ca2+ overload. Consequently, increased metabolic stress can Iead to cell injury and for example neurological disorders like seizures and dementia. Likewise in the heart, abnormal RyR Ca2+ leak in cardiomyocytes for example due to inherited RyR2 mutations or  pathologically increased RyR2 phosphorylation in patients with acquired heart failure can cause Iethal arrhythmias and cardiac degeneration.

Giving the vital importance of normal RyR channel function, a growing number of common as well as rare genetic organotypic diseases were associated with ER/SR Ca2+ leak. Accordingly, there is a growing need for reproducible and scalable screening systems, ideally based on human cell types, to identify and optimize therapeutically active RyR channel modifying substances.

The present invention provides such a scalable screening system, which is a genetically engineered protein composed of the light-gated Channelrhodopsin-2 of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which was fused by linker with the human RyR2 channel protein, which is the most abundant form in the brain and heart. (OptoRyR2; Figure 1).

This novel optogenetic tool is able to release Ca2+ from the ER/SR upon light activation in close vicinity to the cytosolic Ca2+ sensor of RyR2, and subsequently triggers physiological RyR2 activation through CICR (Figure 2). By analyzing the shape and height of light-induced Ca2+ release, substances can be screened for RyR2 modifying effects.

Competitive Advantages

  • Scalable drug screening system
  • Ready to use

Commercial Opportunities

Cell lines stably transfected with the OptoRyR expression construct are available ready to use. Screening projects can be advised by scientists which have invented OptoRyR.

Current Status

A European patent application is pending.


Prof. Dr. Frank Entschladen

fe@provendis.info
+49 208 9410520