Macroscopic control of cell electrophysiology through ion channel expression

Cells convert electrical signals into chemical outputs to facilitate the active transport of information across larger distances. This electrical-to-chemical conversion requires a tightly regulated expression of ion channels. Alterations of ion channel expression provide landmarks of numerous pathological diseases, such as cardiac arrhythmia, epilepsy, or cancer. Although the activity of ion channels can be locally regulated by external light or chemical stimulus, it remains challenging to coordinate the expression of ion channels on extended spatial-temporal scales. Here, we engineered yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to read and convert chemical concentrations into a dynamic potassium channel expression. A synthetic dual-feedback circuit controls the expression of engineered potassium channels through phytohormones auxin and salicylate to produce a macroscopically coordinated pulses of the plasma membrane potential. Our study provides a compact experimental model to control electrical activity through gene expression in eukaryotic cell populations setting grounds for various cellular engineering, synthetic biology, and potential therapeutic applications.

Automated summary

Cells convert electrical signals into chemical outputs through ion channels, and the expression of ion channels is regulated for various pathological diseases. This study engineered yeast to convert chemical concentrations into dynamic potassium channel expression, coordinating the plasma membrane potential through a synthetic dual-feedback circuit. This provides a compact experimental model for controlling electrical activity in eukaryotic cell populations and has implications for cellular engineering and potential therapeutic applications.