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Rhiel E, Hoischen C, Westermann M. Rhodopsins build up the birefringent bodies of the dinoflagellate Oxyrrhis marina. PROTOPLASMA 2022; 259:1047-1060. [PMID: 34738175 PMCID: PMC9184458 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-021-01717-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The ultrastructure of the birefringent bodies of the dinoflagellate Oxyrrhis marina was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Ultrathin sectioning revealed that the bodies consist of highly ordered and densely packed lamellae, which show a regular striation along their longitudinal axis. A lattice distance of 6.1 nm was measured for the densely packed lamellae by FFT (Fast Fourier Transformation) analysis. In addition, a rather faint and oblique running striation was registered. Lamellae sectioned rather oblique or almost close to the surface show a honeycombed structure with a periodicity of 7.2-7.8 nm. Freeze-fracture transmission electron microscopy revealed that the lamellae are composed of highly ordered, crystalline arrays of particles. Here, FFT analysis resulted in lattice distances of 7.0-7.6 nm. Freeze-fracture transmission electron microscopy further revealed that the bodies remained intact after cell rupture followed by ascending flotation of the membrane fractions on discontinuous sucrose gradients. The birefringent bodies most likely are formed by evaginations of membranes, which separate the cytoplasm from the food vacuoles. Distinct, slightly reddish-colored areas, which resembled the birefringent bodies with respect to size and morphology, were registered by bright field light microscopy within Oxyrrhis marina cells. An absorbance maximum at 540 nm was registered for these areas, indicating that they are composed of rhodopsins. This was finally proven by immuno-transmission electron microscopy, as antisera directed against the C-terminal amino acid sequences of the rhodopsins AEA49880 and ADY17806 intensely immunolabeled the birefringent bodies of Oxyrrhis marina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erhard Rhiel
- Plankton Ecology, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, Carl Von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Straße 9-11, D-26129, Oldenburg, Germany.
| | - Christian Hoischen
- CF Imaging, Leibniz Institute On Aging, Fritz-Lipmann-Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstraße 11, D-07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Martin Westermann
- Electron Microscopy Center at the Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Ziegelmühlenweg 1, D-07743, Jena, Germany
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2
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Brown LS. Light-driven proton transfers and proton transport by microbial rhodopsins - A biophysical perspective. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2022; 1864:183867. [PMID: 35051382 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2022.183867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In the last twenty years, our understanding of the rules and mechanisms for the outward light-driven proton transport (and underlying proton transfers) by microbial rhodopsins has been changing dramatically. It transitioned from a very detailed atomic-level understanding of proton transport by bacteriorhodopsin, the prototypical proton pump, to a confounding variety of sequence motifs, mechanisms, directions, and modes of transport in its newly found homologs. In this review, we will summarize and discuss experimental data obtained on new microbial rhodopsin variants, highlighting their contribution to the refinement and generalization of the ideas crystallized in the previous century. In particular, we will focus on the proton transport (and transfers) vectoriality and their structural determinants, which, in many cases, remain unidentified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonid S Brown
- Department of Physics and Biophysics Interdepartmental Group, University of Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada.
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3
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Govorunova EG, Sineshchekov OA, Spudich JL. Emerging Diversity of Channelrhodopsins and Their Structure-Function Relationships. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 15:800313. [PMID: 35140589 PMCID: PMC8818676 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.800313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cation and anion channelrhodopsins (CCRs and ACRs, respectively) from phototactic algae have become widely used as genetically encoded molecular tools to control cell membrane potential with light. Recent advances in polynucleotide sequencing, especially in environmental samples, have led to identification of hundreds of channelrhodopsin homologs in many phylogenetic lineages, including non-photosynthetic protists. Only a few CCRs and ACRs have been characterized in detail, but there are indications that ion channel function has evolved within the rhodopsin superfamily by convergent routes. The diversity of channelrhodopsins provides an exceptional platform for the study of structure-function evolution in membrane proteins. Here we review the current state of channelrhodopsin research and outline perspectives for its further development.
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4
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Abstract
Microbial rhodopsins represent the most abundant phototrophic systems known today. A similar molecular architecture with seven transmembrane helices and a retinal cofactor linked to a lysine in helix 7 enables a wide range of functions including ion pumping, light-controlled ion channel gating, or sensing. Deciphering their molecular mechanisms therefore requires a combined consideration of structural, functional, and spectroscopic data in order to identify key factors determining their function. Important insight can be gained by solid-state NMR spectroscopy by which the large homo-oligomeric rhodopsin complexes can be studied directly within lipid bilayers. This chapter describes the methodological background and the necessary sample preparation requirements for the study of photointermediates, for the analysis of protonation states, H-bonding and chromophore conformations, for 3D structure determination, and for probing oligomer interfaces of microbial rhodopsins. The use of data extracted from these NMR experiments is discussed in the context of complementary biophysical methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Nassrin Kriebel
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Johanna Becker-Baldus
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Clemens Glaubitz
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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5
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Bioluminescence and Photoreception in Unicellular Organisms: Light-Signalling in a Bio-Communication Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111311. [PMID: 34768741 PMCID: PMC8582858 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioluminescence, the emission of light catalysed by luciferases, has evolved in many taxa from bacteria to vertebrates and is predominant in the marine environment. It is now well established that in animals possessing a nervous system capable of integrating light stimuli, bioluminescence triggers various behavioural responses and plays a role in intra- or interspecific visual communication. The function of light emission in unicellular organisms is less clear and it is currently thought that it has evolved in an ecological framework, to be perceived by visual animals. For example, while it is thought that bioluminescence allows bacteria to be ingested by zooplankton or fish, providing them with favourable conditions for growth and dispersal, the luminous flashes emitted by dinoflagellates may have evolved as an anti-predation system against copepods. In this short review, we re-examine this paradigm in light of recent findings in microorganism photoreception, signal integration and complex behaviours. Numerous studies show that on the one hand, bacteria and protists, whether autotrophs or heterotrophs, possess a variety of photoreceptors capable of perceiving and integrating light stimuli of different wavelengths. Single-cell light-perception produces responses ranging from phototaxis to more complex behaviours. On the other hand, there is growing evidence that unicellular prokaryotes and eukaryotes can perform complex tasks ranging from habituation and decision-making to associative learning, despite lacking a nervous system. Here, we focus our analysis on two taxa, bacteria and dinoflagellates, whose bioluminescence is well studied. We propose the hypothesis that similar to visual animals, the interplay between light-emission and reception could play multiple roles in intra- and interspecific communication and participate in complex behaviour in the unicellular world.
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6
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Abstract
Microbial rhodopsins are diverse photoreceptive proteins containing a retinal chromophore and are found in all domains of cellular life and are even encoded in genomes of viruses. These rhodopsins make up two families: type 1 rhodopsins and the recently discovered heliorhodopsins. These families have seven transmembrane helices with similar structures but opposing membrane orientation. Microbial rhodopsins participate in a portfolio of light-driven energy and sensory transduction processes. In this review we present data collected over the last two decades about these rhodopsins and describe their diversity, functions, and biological and ecological roles. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 75 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey Rozenberg
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel; ,
| | - Keiichi Inoue
- The Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8581, Japan;
| | - Hideki Kandori
- Department of Life Science and Applied Chemistry, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan;
| | - Oded Béjà
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel; ,
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7
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Kikuchi M, Kojima K, Nakao S, Yoshizawa S, Kawanishi S, Shibukawa A, Kikukawa T, Sudo Y. Functional expression of the eukaryotic proton pump rhodopsin OmR2 in Escherichia coli and its photochemical characterization. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14765. [PMID: 34285294 PMCID: PMC8292405 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94181-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial rhodopsins are photoswitchable seven-transmembrane proteins that are widely distributed in three domains of life, archaea, bacteria and eukarya. Rhodopsins allow the transport of protons outwardly across the membrane and are indispensable for light-energy conversion in microorganisms. Archaeal and bacterial proton pump rhodopsins have been characterized using an Escherichia coli expression system because that enables the rapid production of large amounts of recombinant proteins, whereas no success has been reported for eukaryotic rhodopsins. Here, we report a phylogenetically distinct eukaryotic rhodopsin from the dinoflagellate Oxyrrhis marina (O. marina rhodopsin-2, OmR2) that can be expressed in E. coli cells. E. coli cells harboring the OmR2 gene showed an outward proton-pumping activity, indicating its functional expression. Spectroscopic characterization of the purified OmR2 protein revealed several features as follows: (1) an absorption maximum at 533 nm with all-trans retinal chromophore, (2) the possession of the deprotonated counterion (pKa = 3.0) of the protonated Schiff base and (3) a rapid photocycle through several distinct photointermediates. Those features are similar to those of known eukaryotic proton pump rhodopsins. Our successful characterization of OmR2 expressed in E. coli cells could build a basis for understanding and utilizing eukaryotic rhodopsins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masuzu Kikuchi
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
| | - Keiichi Kojima
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
| | - Shin Nakao
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
| | - Susumu Yoshizawa
- Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, 277-8564, Japan
| | - Shiho Kawanishi
- Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
| | - Atsushi Shibukawa
- Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
| | - Takashi Kikukawa
- Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810, Japan.,Global Station for Soft Matter, GI-CoRE, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 001-0021, Japan
| | - Yuki Sudo
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan. .,Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan.
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8
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Inoue K. Diversity, Mechanism, and Optogenetic Application of Light-Driven Ion Pump Rhodopsins. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1293:89-126. [PMID: 33398809 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-15-8763-4_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Ion-transporting microbial rhodopsins are widely used as major molecular tools in optogenetics. They are categorized into light-gated ion channels and light-driven ion pumps. While the former passively transport various types of cations and anions in a light-dependent manner, light-driven ion pumps actively transport specific ions, such as H+, Na+, Cl-, against electrophysiological potential by using light energy. Since the ion transport by these pumps induces hyperpolarization of membrane potential and inhibit neural firing, light-driven ion-pumping rhodopsins are mostly applied as inhibitory optogenetics tools. Recent progress in genome and metagenome sequencing identified more than several thousands of ion-pumping rhodopsins from a wide variety of microbes, and functional characterization studies has been revealing many new types of light-driven ion pumps one after another. Since light-gated channels were reviewed in other chapters in this book, here the rapid progress in functional characterization, molecular mechanism study, and optogenetic application of ion-pumping rhodopsins were reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Inoue
- The Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan.
- PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Saitama, Japan.
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9
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Rhiel E, Nguyen T, Wöhlbrand L, Rabus R. A simple protocol for the isolation of proteorhodopsins of the dinoflagellate Oxyrrhis marina. J Basic Microbiol 2020; 60:351-361. [PMID: 31960981 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.201900594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
For the first time, native proteorhodopsins of the marine dinoflagellate Oxyrrhis marina were isolated. Total cell membrane fractions were minced in a bead beater and solubilized with the detergent Triton X-100. Subsequent sucrose density gradient centrifugation resulted in three or four red-colored bands. Nonsolubilized, but still red colored, membranes sedimented at the bottom. For each of these bands, absorbance maxima were registered at approximately 514-516 nm with shoulders toward shorter wavelengths (470-490 nm). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the uppermost band represented free retinal chromophore, as it contained no protein. The other bands were almost pure proteorhodopsin fractions as the banding patterns showed one major protein of 25 kDa. Tryptic, in-gel digestion of the 25 kDa proteins and of faint protein bands above and below 25 kDa was followed by mass spectrometry, confirming these protein bands to consist, nearly exclusively, proteorhodopsins. Only single peptides of few other proteins were detected. In total, at least seven predicted proteorhodopsin protein sequences were experimentally verified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erhard Rhiel
- Planktology, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Tien Nguyen
- Planktology, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Lars Wöhlbrand
- General and Molecular Microbiology, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Rabus
- General and Molecular Microbiology, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
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10
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Abstract
Here, we present a protocol for the functional characterization of the H+-coupled human peptide transporter PepT1 and sufficient notes to transfer the protocol to the Na+-coupled sugar transporter SGLT1, the organic cation transporter OCT2, the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger NCX, and the neuronal glutamate transporter EAAT3.The assay was developed for the commercially available SURFE2R N1 instrument (Nanion Technologies GmbH) which applies solid supported membrane (SSM)-based electrophysiology. This technique is widely used for the functional characterization of membrane transporters with more than 100 different transporters characterized so far. The technique is cost-effective, easy to use, and capable of high-throughput measurements.SSM-based electrophysiology utilizes SSM-coated gold sensors to physically adsorb membrane vesicles containing the protein of interest. A fast solution exchange provides the substrate and activates transport. For the measurement of PepT1 activity, we applied a peptide concentration jump to activate H+/peptide symport. Proton influx charges the sensor. A capacitive current is measured reflecting the transport activity of PepT1 . Multiple measurements on the same sensor allow for comparison of transport activity under different conditions. Here, we determine EC50 for PepT1-mediated glycylglycine transport and perform an inhibition experiment using the specific peptide inhibitor Lys[Z(NO2)]-Val.
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11
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Köhler T, Weber I, Glaubitz C, Wachtveitl J. Proteorhodopsin Photocycle Kinetics Between pH 5 and pH 9. Photochem Photobiol 2017; 93:762-771. [DOI: 10.1111/php.12753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Köhler
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry; Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main; Frankfurt Germany
| | - Ingrid Weber
- Institut für Biophysikalische Chemie; Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main; Frankfurt Germany
| | - Clemens Glaubitz
- Institut für Biophysikalische Chemie; Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main; Frankfurt Germany
| | - Josef Wachtveitl
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry; Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main; Frankfurt Germany
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12
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From Gene to Function: Cell-Free Electrophysiological and Optical Analysis of Ion Pumps in Nanodiscs. Biophys J 2017; 113:1331-1341. [PMID: 28450130 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2017.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Revised: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanodiscs that hold a lipid bilayer surrounded by a boundary of scaffold proteins have emerged as a powerful tool for membrane protein solubilization and analysis. By combining nanodiscs and cell-free expression technologies, even completely detergent-free membrane protein characterization protocols can be designed. Nanodiscs are compatible with various techniques, and due to their bilayer environment and increased stability, they are often superior to detergent micelles or liposomes for membrane protein solubilization. However, transport assays in nanodiscs have not been conducted so far, due to limitations of the two-dimensional nature of nanodisc membranes that offers no compartmentalization. Here, we study Krokinobacter eikastus rhodopsin-2 (KR2), a microbial light-driven sodium or proton pump, with noncovalent mass-spectrometric, electrophysiological, and flash photolysis measurements after its cotranslational insertion into nanodiscs. We demonstrate the feasibility of adsorbing nanodiscs containing KR2 to an artificial bilayer. This allows us to record light-induced capacitive currents that reflect KR2's ion transport activity. The solid-supported membrane assay with nanodisc samples provides reliable control over the ionic condition and information of the relative ion activity of this promiscuous pump. Our strategy is complemented with flash photolysis data, where the lifetimes of different photointermediates were determined at different ionic conditions. The advantage of using identical samples to three complementary approaches allows for a comprehensive comparability. The cell-free synthesis in combination with nanodiscs provides a defined hydrophobic lipid environment minimizing the detergent dependence often seen in assays with membrane proteins. KR2 is a promising tool for optogenetics, thus directed engineering to modify ion selectivity can be highly beneficial. Our approach, using the fast generation of functional ion pumps incorporated into nanodiscs and their subsequent analysis by several biophysical techniques, can serve as a versatile screening and engineering platform. This may open new avenues for the study of ion pumps and similar electrogenic targets.
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13
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El-Tahawy MMT, Nenov A, Garavelli M. Photoelectrochromism in the Retinal Protonated Schiff Base Chromophore: Photoisomerization Speed and Selectivity under a Homogeneous Electric Field at Different Operational Regimes. J Chem Theory Comput 2016; 12:4460-75. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.6b00558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen M. T. El-Tahawy
- Dipartimento
di Chimica “G. Ciamician″, Universita’ degli Studi di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2 I - 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Chemistry
Department, Faculty of Science, Damanhour University, Damanhour 22511, Egypt
| | - Artur Nenov
- Dipartimento
di Chimica “G. Ciamician″, Universita’ degli Studi di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2 I - 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Garavelli
- Dipartimento
di Chimica “G. Ciamician″, Universita’ degli Studi di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2 I - 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Université
de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, ENS Lyon, Centre
Nationale de Recherche Scientifique, 46 allée d’Italie, 69007 Lyon Cedex 07, France
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14
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Harris A, Ljumovic M, Bondar AN, Shibata Y, Ito S, Inoue K, Kandori H, Brown LS. A new group of eubacterial light-driven retinal-binding proton pumps with an unusual cytoplasmic proton donor. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2015; 1847:1518-29. [PMID: 26260121 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2015.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Revised: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
One of the main functions of microbial rhodopsins is outward-directed light-driven proton transport across the plasma membrane, which can provide sources of energy alternative to respiration and chlorophyll photosynthesis. Proton-pumping rhodopsins are found in Archaea (Halobacteria), multiple groups of Bacteria, numerous fungi, and some microscopic algae. An overwhelming majority of these proton pumps share the common transport mechanism, in which a proton from the retinal Schiff base is first transferred to the primary proton acceptor (normally an Asp) on the extracellular side of retinal. Next, reprotonation of the Schiff base from the cytoplasmic side is mediated by a carboxylic proton donor (Asp or Glu), which is located on helix C and is usually hydrogen-bonded to Thr or Ser on helix B. The only notable exception from this trend was recently found in Exiguobacterium, where the carboxylic proton donor is replaced by Lys. Here we describe a new group of efficient proteobacterial retinal-binding light-driven proton pumps which lack the carboxylic proton donor on helix C (most often replaced by Gly) but possess a unique His residue on helix B. We characterize the group spectroscopically and propose that this histidine forms a proton-donating complex compensating for the loss of the carboxylic proton donor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Harris
- Department of Physics, University of Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Yohei Shibata
- Department of Frontier Materials, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shota Ito
- Department of Frontier Materials, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Keiichi Inoue
- Department of Frontier Materials, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya, Japan; PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Japan
| | - Hideki Kandori
- Department of Frontier Materials, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya, Japan.
| | - Leonid S Brown
- Department of Physics, University of Guelph, ON, Canada.
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15
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Enlightening the photoactive site of channelrhodopsin-2 by DNP-enhanced solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015. [PMID: 26216996 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1507713112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Channelrhodopsin-2 from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a light-gated ion channel. Over recent years, this ion channel has attracted considerable interest because of its unparalleled role in optogenetic applications. However, despite considerable efforts, an understanding of how molecular events during the photocycle, including the retinal trans-cis isomerization and the deprotonation/reprotonation of the Schiff base, are coupled to the channel-opening mechanism remains elusive. To elucidate this question, changes of conformation and configuration of several photocycle and conducting/nonconducting states need to be determined at atomic resolution. Here, we show that such data can be obtained by solid-state NMR enhanced by dynamic nuclear polarization applied to (15)N-labeled channelrhodopsin-2 carrying 14,15-(13)C2 retinal reconstituted into lipid bilayers. In its dark state, a pure all-trans retinal conformation with a stretched C14-C15 bond and a significant out-of-plane twist of the H-C14-C15-H dihedral angle could be observed. Using a combination of illumination, freezing, and thermal relaxation procedures, a number of intermediate states was generated and analyzed by DNP-enhanced solid-state NMR. Three distinct intermediates could be analyzed with high structural resolution: the early [Formula: see text] K-like state, the slowly decaying late intermediate [Formula: see text], and a third intermediate populated only under continuous illumination conditions. Our data provide novel insight into the photoactive site of channelrhodopsin-2 during the photocycle. They further show that DNP-enhanced solid-state NMR fills the gap for challenging membrane proteins between functional studies and X-ray-based structure analysis, which is required for resolving molecular mechanisms.
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16
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Claassens NJ, Volpers M, dos Santos VAPM, van der Oost J, de Vos WM. Potential of proton-pumping rhodopsins: engineering photosystems into microorganisms. Trends Biotechnol 2013; 31:633-42. [PMID: 24120288 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2013.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2013] [Revised: 08/19/2013] [Accepted: 08/27/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
A wide range of proton-pumping rhodopsins (PPRs) have been discovered in recent years. Using a synthetic biology approach, PPR photosystems with different features can be easily introduced in nonphotosynthetic microbial hosts. PPRs can provide hosts with the ability to harvest light and drive the sustainable production of biochemicals or biofuels. PPRs use light energy to generate an outward proton flux, and the resulting proton motive force can subsequently power cellular processes. Recently, the introduction of PPRs in microbial production hosts has successfully led to light-driven biotechnological conversions. In this review, we discuss relevant features of natural PPRs, evaluate reported biotechnological applications of microbial production hosts equipped with PPRs, and provide an outlook on future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico J Claassens
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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17
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Bamann C, Bamberg E, Wachtveitl J, Glaubitz C. Proteorhodopsin. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2013; 1837:614-25. [PMID: 24060527 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2013.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2013] [Revised: 09/11/2013] [Accepted: 09/13/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Proteorhodopsins are the most abundant retinal based photoreceptors and their phototrophic function might be relevant in marine ecosystems. Here, we describe their remarkable molecular properties with a special focus on the green absorbing variant. Its distinct features include a high pKa value of the primary proton acceptor stabilized through an interaction with a conserved histidine, a long-range interaction between the cytoplasmic EF loop and the chromophore entailing a particular mode of color tuning and a variable proton pumping vectoriality with complex voltage-dependence. The proteorhodopsin family represents a profound example for structure-function relationships. Especially the development of a biophysical understanding of green proteorhodopsin is an excellent example for the unique opportunities offered by a combined approach of advanced spectroscopic and electrophysiological methods. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Retinal Proteins-You can teach an old dog new tricks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Bamann
- Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue Straße 3, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Ernst Bamberg
- Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue Straße 3, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Josef Wachtveitl
- Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Institute for Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Max-von-Laue Straße 7, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Clemens Glaubitz
- Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Institute for Biophysical Chemistry & Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Max-von-Laue Straße 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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