Applications of OptoProfilin in Living Cells for the Imaging of Focal Adhesions and Stress-Associated Phenotypes

Cellular stress induces profound changes in cytoskeletal organization and biomolecular condensate formation. Traditional approaches for monitoring cellular stress often require multi-component biosensors, endpoint staining procedures, or indirect biochemical measurements. Here, we describe a protocol for the use of OptoProfilin, a genetically encoded single-component optogenetic biosensor derived from Profilin-1 fused to Cryptochrome 2 (Cry2) and mCherry. Following transient expression in mammalian cells, OptoProfilin exhibits light-dependent localization to focal adhesions under non-stressed conditions and transitions to punctate condensates under energetic, oxidative, osmotic, and senescence-associated stress conditions. The protocol includes transient transfection, induction of cellular stress, live-cell imaging, immunofluorescence validation, and quantitative image analysis. While this protocol describes imaging on a Leica widefield fluorescence microscope, it can readily be extended to other microscopy platforms. As a stand-alone biosensor that produces visually distinct responses in stressed versus non-stressed cells, OptoProfilin provides a convenient platform for investigating stress-associated cytoskeletal remodeling and biomolecular condensate formation. Key features • Single-component optogenetic biosensor for monitoring cellular stress. • Distinguishes stressed and unstressed cells through distinct localization phenotypes. • Compatible with live-cell imaging, fixed-cell analysis, and immunofluorescence. • Applicable to energetic, oxidative, osmotic, and senescence-associated stress models.