EDITORIAL COMMENT

Optogenetics is a biological method which includes the use of light to control cells in living tissue as neurons that have been genetically modified to express light sensitive ion channels. The key reagents used in optogenetics are light-sensitive proteins. Neuronal control is achieved using optogenetic actuators like channelrhodopsin, halorhodopsin and archaerhodopsin, while optical recording of neuronal activities can be made with the help of optogenetic sensors for calcium (GCaMP), vesicular release (synaptopHluorin), neurotransmitter (GluSnFRs) or membrane voltage (Arcclightining, ASAP1). In this study, the authors suggested Rac1-dependent lamellipodial motility in prostate cancer PC-3 cells revealed by optogenetic control of photoactivatable Rac1 activity. The lamellipodium plays an important role in invasion and metastasis of cancer cells for cell migration. Rac1 recognized as a main player in the formation of lamellipodium. They revealed the role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) in Rac1-dependent lamellipodial motility in PC-3 prostate cancer cells. Especially, inhibition of the neural hyperactivity in the micturation centers regulated by optogenetic application is a new therapeutic approach used to treat irreversible neurologic bladder dysfunction. In addition to the urooncology and neurourology, optogenetic researches will be focused on andrology (i.e. 5-hydroxy tryptamine 1A receptors). Optogenetic is a promising new field of research that will be applied in the treatment of various urological diseases in the future.