Dummy-fluorescent protein fusions and methods of use
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsAimei YANG, Demian PARK, Kiryl PIATKEVICH, Edward BOYDEN
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Abstract
The invention, in some aspects, relates to dummy-fluorescent (DF) polypeptide molecules and their encoding nucleic acid molecules and use of such molecules in fusion proteins and their encoding nucleic acid molecules. Compositions of the invention may be delivered to cells and subjects and used in methods to modulate electrical activity of cells in which they are expressed, and for treatment of diseases and conditions in subjects.
Claims24
A composition comprising a dummy-fluorescent (DF) polypeptide or DF functional variant thereof.
8-9. (canceled)
A polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a DF polypeptide or a DF functional variant thereof, wherein the amino acid sequence of the DF polypeptide is set forth as SEQ ID NO:
- 3;
- SEQ ID NO:
- 5;
- or one of the DF polypeptides described in Table 1.
14-16. (canceled)
18-42. (canceled)
A method of modulating electrical activity in a cell, the method comprising:
- a) expressing in a host cell a fusion protein comprising:
- a dummy-fluorescent (DF) polypeptide or a DF functional variant thereof and a stimulus-activated opsin polypeptide;
- and
- b) contacting the expressed opsin polypeptide with a stimulus under suitable conditions to activate the opsin polypeptide and modulate an electrical activity in the host cell.
45-66. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.