SignificanceG-protein–coupled receptors control a variety of important cell behaviors. However, tools are not available to activate these receptors in selected areas of a cell and exert control over cell behavior. Here we recruit unique properties of nonrhodopsin opsins to activate all the major types of G-protein signaling in spatially confined regions of single cells. We show that this approach can be used to optically induce polarized cell behavior and refashion early neuron differentiation. This optical approach can be applied to control other cell behaviors such as immune cell migration and cardiomyocyte contraction.
