Photoinduced receptor confinement drives ligand-independent GPCR signaling

Laser-controlled receptor clustering A strategy that allows light-controlled local confinement of a heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide–binding protein (G protein)–coupled receptor may help to elucidate signal transduction mechanisms. Sánchez et al. developed just such an approach using a poly-L-lysine-graft-polyethylene glycol copolymer with a photoactivatable head. Laser light could locally activate a chelator that rapidly (within seconds) captured polyhistidine-tagged neuropeptide Y receptors. Such receptor confinement enhanced calcium signaling and increased spreading and cell motility in cultured human cells. The ability to control the location, size, and density of receptor clusters may help to elucidate receptor signaling mechanisms. Science , this issue p. eabb7657