Researchers have developed "optovolution," a groundbreaking method for the continuous directed evolution of complex, multi-state protein functions using light-responsive selection pressure. By genetically engineering budding yeast to link a protein of interest to essential cell-cycle regulators, the team created a system where cells only proliferate if the protein correctly switches between "on" and "off" states. This approach successfully produced 19 new variants of the LOV transcription factor with enhanced sensitivity and reduced leakiness, while also enabling color-multiplexing via green-light responsiveness. Additionally, the study identifies a genetic deletion that allows the PhyB-PIF system to function without external chemical additives and demonstrates the evolution of a non-light-responsive logic gate. Ultimately, optovolution provides a scalable and precise framework for engineering dynamic biological behaviors that were previously difficult to optimize.
References:
- Gligorovski V, Labagnara M, Scutteri L, et al. Light-directed evolution of dynamic, multi-state, and computational protein functionalities[J]. BioRxiv, 2024: 2024.02. 28.582517.
