DREADDs

Question 1

What type of receptor are DREADDs?

Answer 1

DREADDs are engineered GPCRs that can be ‘controlled’ remotely by the researcher using specific ligands

Question 2

Describe the 5 steps in which how DREADDs are usede?

Answer 2

1. They are usually labelled with a fluorescent tag (e.g. green flourscent protein-GFP)
2. These are then packaged in a viral construct (e.g. adeno-associated virus-AAV)
3. The virus is then administered to the target brain area using aseptic sterotaxic surgery and allowed to express for numerous weeks.
4. The designer ligand (e.g. CNO) can be administered via a variety of routes (i.p., drinking water)
5. Post CNO administration, the researcher will perform the neccessay testing to assess the effects of cellular activation or inhibition - behaviour, cellular function.

Question 3

Which receptor was the first generation of DREADDs based upon?

Answer 3

Muscasrinic acetylcholine receptor

Question 4

Name the activation DREADD and inhibitory DREADD.

Answer 4

Activation: hM3Dq
Inhibition: hM4Di