Optical Approaches for Dissecting GPCR Signaling

Recent advances in optical control of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling are enabling unprecedented insights into the causal connections between spatiotemporal signaling dynamics and cellular and physiological processes. This chapter discusses approaches that have been developed for optical control of GPCRs, heterotrimeric G proteins, arrestins, second messengers, and downstream signaling proteins like monomeric G proteins and mitogen-activated protein kinases. Special attention is given to practical aspects involved in developing and using optogenetic tools to dissect GPCR signaling. New biological insights uncovered by these approaches are discussed using specific examples from studies of subcellular signaling, molecular signaling network motifs, cellular dynamics, and systems neuroscience. The chapter concludes with a discussion of areas in need of future development and application of optogenetic tools, including G protein signaling at organelles and nanobody-based optogenetics.