Blue light opens the ORAI1 LOC(K)

The current optogenetic tools to elevate cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentrations either do not have high ion selectivity or activate undesirable signaling pathways. He et al. (2021) generated a light-operated Ca2+ channel by integrating a photosensitive module directly into ORAI1 channels to selectively raise cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels.

Automated summary

Researchers have successfully developed a novel light-operated Ca2+ channel that can selectively and efficiently elevate cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels.