Light-Induced GFP Expression in Zebrafish Embryos using the Optogenetic TAEL/C120 System

Inducible gene expression systems are an invaluable tool for studying biological processes. Optogenetic can provide precise control over timing, location, and amplitude using light as the inducing agent. In this protocol, optogenetic system is used to achieve light-inducible in zebrafish embryos. This relies on engineered transcription factor called TAEL based a naturally occurring light-activated from bacterium E. litoralis. When illuminated with blue light, dimerizes, binds its cognate regulatory element C120, activates transcription. protocol uses transgenic embryos that express under of ubiquitous ubb promoter. At same time, C120 drives fluorescent reporter (GFP). Using simple LED panel deliver activating induction GFP first be detected after 30 min illumination reaches peak more than 130-fold 3 h treatment. Expression assessed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) fluorescence microscopy. method versatile easy-to-use approach expression.