Dopamine Specific Promoter

About

Overview Researchers in Prof. Karl Diesseroth’s laboratory have discovered a Dopamine receptor type 2 specific promoter (D2SP) that can be used to transfect, identify and isolate Dopamine R2 (D2R)-expressing cells. Because the promoter is highly specific (98.2%) and penetrant (86.8%), it could be used to drive expression of genes in DR2 cells in vitro or in vivo. Potential applications include enriching for D2R-expressing cells through cell sorting techniques and enabling tissue specific expression of optogenetic constructs or gene therapy vectors. Ultimately, this promoter could enhance research and treatment of a wide range of conditions, particularly neuropsychiatric disorders. ​Stage of Research The inventors have used the promoter to drive expression in rat striatal primary neurons and demonstrated its specificity and penetrance.  ​Applications Tissue specific gene expression with end-user applications in research and therapeutics such as: cell sorting for D2R-expressing cells that can be further characterized or used for cell therapeutics optogenetic constructs RNA or DNA-based therapies and other gene therapies ​Advantages Specific - 98.2% specific (compared to only 90.5% specificity achieved by the D2R promoter) High penetrance - 86.8% penetrance (compared to 69% penetrance previously seen with the D2R promoter) Low cost and easy to use