Fig. 9: Comparison of tools for optogenetic silencing of synaptic transmission.

a Matrix showing time constants (activity on- and offset) of optogenetic tools for synaptic inhibition. Tools are grouped by their molecular nature/mechanism of action. Data was derived from refs. 13,18,19,22,23,24,27,28,30,38,82,83b ACR2 expressed in C. elegans cholinergic motor neurons evokes rapid and complete inhibition of locomotion, associated with sustained after-effects. Mean (±s.e.m.) swimming cycles of animals expressing ACR2. Number of individual animals (n) across each measured time point and across N = 2 independent experiments (animals picked from N independent populations) is indicated as range.