1
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Hoshino H, Miyake K, Fushimi K, Narikawa R. Red/green cyanobacteriochromes acquire isomerization from phycocyanobilin to phycoviolobilin. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e5132. [PMID: 39072823 DOI: 10.1002/pro.5132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs) are unique cyanobacteria-specific photoreceptors that share a distant relation with phytochromes. Most CBCRs contain conserved cysteine residues known as canonical Cys, while some CBCRs have additional cysteine residues called second Cys within the DXCF motif, leading to their classification as DXCF CBCRs. They typically undergo a process where they incorporate phycocyanobilin (PCB) and subsequently isomerize it to phycoviolobilin (PVB). Conversely, CBCRs with conserved Trp residues and without the second Cys are called extended red/green (XRG) CBCRs. Typical XRG CBCRs bind PCB without undergoing PCB-to-PVB isomerization, displaying red/green reversible photoconversion, and there are also atypical CBCRs that exhibit diverse photoconversions. We discovered novel XRG CBCRs with Cys residue instead of the conserved Trp residue. These novel XRG CBCRs exhibited the ability to isomerize PCB to PVB, displaying green/teal reversible photoconversion. Through sequence- and structure-based comparisons coupled with mutagenesis experiments, we identified three amino acid residues, including the Cys residue, crucial for facilitating PCB-to-PVB isomerization. This research expands our understanding of the diversity of XRG CBCRs, highlighting the remarkable molecular plasticity of CBCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Hoshino
- Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keita Miyake
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiji Fushimi
- Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rei Narikawa
- Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
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2
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Zhang S, Jeffreys LN, Poddar H, Yu Y, Liu C, Patel K, Johannissen LO, Zhu L, Cliff MJ, Yan C, Schirò G, Weik M, Sakuma M, Levy CW, Leys D, Heyes DJ, Scrutton NS. Photocobilins integrate B 12 and bilin photochemistry for enzyme control. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2740. [PMID: 38548733 PMCID: PMC10979010 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46995-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Photoreceptor proteins utilise chromophores to sense light and trigger a biological response. The discovery that adenosylcobalamin (or coenzyme B12) can act as a light-sensing chromophore heralded a new field of B12-photobiology. Although microbial genome analysis indicates that photoactive B12-binding domains form part of more complex protein architectures, regulating a range of molecular-cellular functions in response to light, experimental evidence is lacking. Here we identify and characterise a sub-family of multi-centre photoreceptors, termed photocobilins, that use B12 and biliverdin (BV) to sense light across the visible spectrum. Crystal structures reveal close juxtaposition of the B12 and BV chromophores, an arrangement that facilitates optical coupling. Light-triggered conversion of the B12 affects quaternary structure, in turn leading to light-activation of associated enzyme domains. The apparent widespread nature of photocobilins implies involvement in light regulation of a wider array of biochemical processes, and thus expands the scope for B12 photobiology. Their characterisation provides inspiration for the design of broad-spectrum optogenetic tools and next generation bio-photocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaowei Zhang
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK.
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Sciences, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, China.
| | - Laura N Jeffreys
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Harshwardhan Poddar
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Yuqi Yu
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Chuanyang Liu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Sciences, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Kaylee Patel
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Linus O Johannissen
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Lingyun Zhu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Sciences, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Matthew J Cliff
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Cunyu Yan
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Giorgio Schirò
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale, F-38044, Grenoble, France
| | - Martin Weik
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale, F-38044, Grenoble, France
| | - Michiyo Sakuma
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Colin W Levy
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - David Leys
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Derren J Heyes
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK.
| | - Nigel S Scrutton
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK.
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3
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Rockwell NC, Lagarias JC. Cyanobacteriochromes from Gloeobacterales Provide New Insight into the Diversification of Cyanobacterial Photoreceptors. J Mol Biol 2024; 436:168313. [PMID: 37839679 PMCID: PMC11218821 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
The phytochrome superfamily comprises three groups of photoreceptors sharing a conserved GAF (cGMP-specific phosphodiesterases, cyanobacterial adenylate cyclases, and formate hydrogen lyase transcription activator FhlA) domain that uses a covalently attached linear tetrapyrrole (bilin) chromophore to sense light. Knotted red/far-red phytochromes are widespread in both bacteria and eukaryotes, but cyanobacteria also contain knotless red/far-red phytochromes and cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs). Unlike typical phytochromes, CBCRs require only the GAF domain for bilin binding, chromophore ligation, and full, reversible photoconversion. CBCRs can sense a wide range of wavelengths (ca. 330-750 nm) and can regulate phototaxis, second messenger metabolism, and optimization of the cyanobacterial light-harvesting apparatus. However, the origins of CBCRs are not well understood: we do not know when or why CBCRs evolved, or what selective advantages led to retention of early CBCRs in cyanobacterial genomes. In the current work, we use the increasing availability of genomes and metagenome-assembled-genomes from early-branching cyanobacteria to explore the origins of CBCRs. We reaffirm the earliest branches in CBCR evolution. We also show that early-branching cyanobacteria contain late-branching CBCRs, implicating early appearance of CBCRs during cyanobacterial evolution. Moreover, we show that early-branching CBCRs behave as integrators of light and pH, providing a potential unique function for early CBCRs that led to their retention and subsequent diversification. Our results thus provide new insight into the origins of these diverse cyanobacterial photoreceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan C Rockwell
- 31 Briggs Hall, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, One Shields Avenue, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - J Clark Lagarias
- 31 Briggs Hall, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, One Shields Avenue, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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4
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Suzuki T, Yoshimura M, Arai M, Narikawa R. Crucial Residue for Tuning Thermal Relaxation Kinetics in the Biliverdin-binding Cyanobacteriochrome Photoreceptor Revealed by Site-saturation Mutagenesis. J Mol Biol 2024; 436:168451. [PMID: 38246412 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs) are cyanobacterial photoreceptors distantly related to the phytochromes sensing red and far-red light reversibly. Only the cGMP phosphodiesterase/Adenylate cyclase/FhlA (GAF) domain is needed for chromophore incorporation and proper photoconversion. The CBCR GAF domains covalently ligate linear tetrapyrrole chromophores and show reversible photoconversion between two light-absorbing states. In most cases, the two light-absorbing states are stable under dark conditions, but in some cases, the photoproduct state undergoes thermal relaxation back to the dark-adapted state during thermal relaxation. In this study, we examined the engineered CBCR GAF domain, AnPixJg2_BV4. AnPixJg2_BV4 covalently binds biliverdin IX-alpha (BV) and shows reversible photoconversion between a far-red-absorbing Pfr dark-adapted state and an orange-absorbing Po photoproduct state. Because the BV is an intrinsic chromophore of mammalian cells and absorbs far-red light penetrating into deep tissues, BV-binding CBCR molecules are useful for the development of optogenetic and bioimaging tools used in mammals. To obtain a better developmental platform molecule, we performed site-saturation random mutagenesis on the Phe319 position. We succeeded in obtaining variant molecules with higher chromophore-binding efficiency and higher molar extinction coefficient. Furthermore, we observed a wide variation in thermal relaxation kinetics, with an 81-fold difference between the slowest and fastest rates. Both molecules with relatively slow and fast thermal relaxation would be advantageous for optogenetic control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahisa Suzuki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minami-Ohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan.
| | - Masataka Yoshimura
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Munehito Arai
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan; Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Rei Narikawa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minami-Ohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan.
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5
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Kannan P, Oh J, Yeon YJ, Park YI, Seo MH, Park K. Computational identification of key residues regulating fluorescence emission in a red/green cyanobacteriochrome. Proteins 2024; 92:106-116. [PMID: 37646483 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs) are linear tetrapyrrole bilin-binding photoreceptors of cyanobacteria that exhibit high spectral diversity, gaining attention in optogenetics and bioimaging applications. Several engineering studies on CBCRs were attempted, especially for designing near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent proteins with longer fluorescence wavelengths. However, despite continuous efforts, a key component regulating fluorescence emission property in CBCRs is still poorly understood. As a model system, we focused on red/green CBCR Slr1393g3, from the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 to engineer Pr to get far-red light-emitting property. Energy profiling and pairwise structural comparison of Slr1393g3 variants effectively reveal the mutations that are critical to the fluorescence changes. H497 seems to play a key role in stabilizing the chromophore environment, especially the α3 helix, while H495, T499, and Q502 are potential key residues determining fluorescence emission peak wavelength. We also found that mutations of α2 and α4 helical regions are closely related to the chromophore binding stability and likely affect fluorescence properties. Taken together, our computational analysis suggests that the fluorescence of Slr1393g3 is mainly controlled by the stabilization of the chromophore binding pocket. The predicted key residues potentially regulating the fluorescence emission property of a red/green CBCR will be advantageous for designing improved NIR fluorescent protein when combined with in vitro molecular evolution approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyadharshini Kannan
- Natural Product Informatics Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
| | - Jisung Oh
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
- Natural Product Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Joo Yeon
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
| | - Youn-Il Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Moon-Hyeong Seo
- Natural Product Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
- Department of Convergence Medicine, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea
- Department of YM-KIST Bio-Health Convergence, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Keunwan Park
- Natural Product Informatics Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
- Department of YM-KIST Bio-Health Convergence, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea
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6
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Janis MK, Zou W, Zastrow ML. A Single-Site Mutation Tunes Fluorescence and Chromophorylation of an Orange Fluorescent Cyanobacteriochrome. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300358. [PMID: 37423892 PMCID: PMC10653908 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteriochrome (CBCR) cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase, adenylyl cyclase, and FhlA (GAF) domains bind bilin cofactors to confer sensory wavelengths important for various cyanobacterial photosensory processes. Many isolated GAF domains autocatalytically bind bilins, including the third GAF domain of CBCR Slr1393 from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803, which binds phycoerythrobilin (PEB) to yield a bright orange fluorescent protein. Compared to green fluorescent proteins, the smaller size and lack of an oxygen requirement for fluorescence make Slr1393g3 a promising platform for new genetically encoded fluorescent tools. Slr1393g3, however, shows low PEB binding efficiency (chromophorylation) at ~3 % compared to total Slr1393g3 expressed in E. coli. Here we used site-directed mutagenesis and plasmid redesign methods to improve Slr1393g3-PEB binding and demonstrate its utility as a fluorescent marker in live cells. Mutation at a single site, Trp496, tuned the emission over ~30 nm, likely by shifting autoisomerization of PEB to phycourobilin (PUB). Plasmid modifications for tuning relative expression of Slr1393g3 and PEB synthesis enzymes also improved chromophorylation and moving from a dual to single plasmid system facilitated exploration of a range of mutants via site saturation mutagenesis and sequence truncation. Collectively, the PEB/PUB chromophorylation was raised up to a total of 23 % with combined sequence truncation and W496H mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makena K Janis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, 3585 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Wenping Zou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, 3585 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Melissa L Zastrow
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, 3585 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
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7
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Jensen GC, Janis MK, Jara J, Abbasi N, Zastrow ML. Zinc-Induced Fluorescence Turn-On in Native and Mutant Phycoerythrobilin-Binding Orange Fluorescent Proteins. Biochemistry 2023; 62:2828-2840. [PMID: 37699411 PMCID: PMC11057272 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteriochrome (CBCR)-derived fluorescent proteins are a class of reporters that can bind bilin cofactors and fluoresce across the ultraviolet to the near-infrared spectrum. Derived from phytochrome-related photoreceptor proteins in cyanobacteria, many of these proteins use a single small GAF domain to autocatalytically bind a bilin and fluoresce. The second GAF domain of All1280 (All1280g2) from Nostoc sp. PCC7120 is a DXCF motif-containing protein that exhibits blue-light-responsive photochemistry when bound to its native cofactor, phycocyanobilin. All1280g2 can also bind non-photoswitching phycoerythrobilin (PEB), resulting in a highly fluorescent protein. Given the small size, high quantum yield, and that unlike green fluorescent proteins, bilin-binding proteins can be used in anaerobic organisms, the orange fluorescent All1280g2-PEB protein is a promising platform for designing new genetically encoded metal ion sensors. Here, we show that All1280g2-PEB undergoes a ∼5-fold reversible zinc-induced fluorescence enhancement with a blue-shifted emission maximum (572 to 517 nm), which is not observed for a related PEB-bound GAF from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 (Slr1393g3). Zn2+ significantly enhances All1280g2-PEB fluorescence across a biologically relevant pH range from 6.0 to 9.0, with pH-dependent dissociation constants from 1 μM to ∼20-80 nM. Site-directed mutants aiming to sterically decrease and increase access to PEB show a decreased and similar amount of zinc-induced fluorescence enhancement. Mutation of the cysteine residue within the DXCF motif to alanine abolishes the zinc-induced fluorescence enhancement. Collectively, these results support the presence of a unique fluorescence-enhancing Zn2+ binding site in All1280g2-PEB likely involving coordination to the bilin cofactor and requiring a nearby cysteine residue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary C Jensen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
| | - Makena K Janis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
| | - Jazzmin Jara
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
| | - Nasir Abbasi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
| | - Melissa L Zastrow
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
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8
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Suzuki T, Yoshimura M, Hoshino H, Fushimi K, Arai M, Narikawa R. Introduction of reversible cysteine ligation ability to the biliverdin-binding cyanobacteriochrome photoreceptor. FEBS J 2023; 290:4999-5015. [PMID: 37488966 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteriochrome (CBCR) photoreceptors are distantly related to the canonical red/far-red reversible phytochrome photoreceptors. In the case of the CBCRs, only the GAF domain is required for chromophore incorporation and photoconversion. The GAF domains of CBCR are highly diversified into many lineages to sense various colors of light. These CBCR GAF domains are divided into two types: those possessing only the canonical Cys residue and those with both canonical and second Cys residues. The canonical Cys residue stably ligates to the chromophore in both cases. The second Cys residue mostly shows reversible adduct formation with the chromophore during photoconversion for spectral tuning. In this study, we focused on the CBCR GAF domain AnPixJg2_BV4, which possesses only the canonical Cys residue. AnPixJg2_BV4 covalently ligates to the biliverdin (BV) chromophore and shows far-red/orange reversible photoconversion. Because BV is a mammalian intrinsic chromophore, BV-binding molecules are advantageous for in vivo optogenetic and bioimaging tool development. To obtain a better developmental platform molecule, we performed site-saturation random mutagenesis and serendipitously obtained a unique variant molecule that showed far-red/blue reversible photoconversion, in which the Cys residue was introduced near the chromophore. This introduced Cys residue functioned as the second Cys residue that reversibly ligated with the chromophore. Because the position of the introduced Cys residue is distinct from the known second Cys residues, the variant molecule obtained in this study would expand our knowledge about the spectral tuning mechanism of CBCRs and contribute to tool development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahisa Suzuki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan
| | - Masataka Yoshimura
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Hoshino
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan
| | - Keiji Fushimi
- Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Munehito Arai
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rei Narikawa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan
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9
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Takeda Y, Ohtsu I, Suzuki T, Nakasone Y, Fushimi K, Ikeuchi M, Terazima M, Dohra H, Narikawa R. Conformational change in an engineered biliverdin-binding cyanobacteriochrome during the photoconversion process. Arch Biochem Biophys 2023; 745:109715. [PMID: 37549803 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2023.109715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs) derived from cyanobacteria are linear-tetrapyrrole-binding photoreceptors related to the canonical red/far-red reversible phytochrome photoreceptors. CBCRs contain chromophore-binding cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase/adenylate cyclase/FhlA (GAF) domains that are highly diverse in their primary sequences and are categorized into many subfamilies. Among this repertoire, the biliverdin (BV)-binding CBCR GAF domains receive considerable attention for their in vivo optogenetic and bioimaging applications because BV is a mammalian intrinsic chromophore and can absorb far-red light that penetrates deep into the mammalian body. The typical BV-binding CBCR GAF domain exhibits reversible photoconversion between far-red-absorbing dark-adapted and orange-absorbing photoproduct states. Herein, we applied various biochemical and spectral studies to identify the details of the conformational change during this photoconversion process. No oligomeric state change was observed, whereas the surface charge would change with a modification of the α-helix structures during the photoconversion process. Combinatorial analysis using partial protease digestion and mass spectrometry identified the region where the conformational change occurred. These results provide clues for the future development of optogenetic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Takeda
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
| | - Itsuki Ohtsu
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
| | - Takahisa Suzuki
- Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minami-Ohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan
| | - Yusuke Nakasone
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Keiji Fushimi
- Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, Hyogo, 657-0013, Japan
| | - Masahiko Ikeuchi
- Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minami-Ohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan
| | - Masahide Terazima
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Hideo Dohra
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan; Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
| | - Rei Narikawa
- Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minami-Ohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan.
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10
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Janis MK, Zou W, Zastrow ML. A Single Site Mutation Tunes Fluorescence and Chromophorylation of an Orange Fluorescent Cyanobacteriochrome. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.11.540396. [PMID: 37214816 PMCID: PMC10197653 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.11.540396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteriochrome (CBCR) GAF domains bind bilin cofactors to confer sensory wavelengths important for various cyanobacterial photosensory processes. Many isolated GAF domains autocatalytically bind bilins, becoming fluorescent. The third GAF domain of CBCR Slr1393 from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 binds phycocyanobilin (PCB) natively, yielding red/green photoswitching properties but also binds phycoerythrobilin (PEB). GAF3-PCB has low quantum yields but non-photoswitching GAF3-PEB is brighter, making it a promising platform for new genetically encoded fluorescent tools. GAF3, however, shows low PEB binding efficiency (chromophorylation) at ∼3% compared to total protein expressed in E. coli . Here we explored site-directed mutagenesis and plasmid-based methods to improve GAF3-PEB binding and demonstrate its utility as a fluorescent marker in live cells. We found that a single mutation improved chromophorylation while tuning the emission over ∼30 nm, likely by shifting autoisomerization of PEB to phycourobilin (PUB). Plasmid modifications also improved chromophorylation and moving from a dual to single plasmid system facilitated exploration of a range of mutants via site saturation mutagenesis and sequence truncation. Collectively, the PEB/PUB chromophorylation was raised by ∼7-fold. Moreover, we show that protein-chromophore interactions can tune autoisomerization of PEB to PUB in a GAF domain, which will facilitate future engineering of similar GAF domain-derived fluorescent proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makena K Janis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, 3585 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX, 77204 (USA)
| | - Wenping Zou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, 3585 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX, 77204 (USA)
| | - Melissa L Zastrow
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, 3585 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX, 77204 (USA)
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11
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Taniguchi M, Lindsey JS. Absorption and Fluorescence Spectra of Open-chain Tetrapyrrole Pigments–Bilirubins, Biliverdins, Phycobilins, and Synthetic Analogues. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY C: PHOTOCHEMISTRY REVIEWS 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochemrev.2023.100585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
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12
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Jang J, Tang K, Youn J, McDonald S, Beyer HM, Zurbriggen MD, Uppalapati M, Woolley GA. Engineering of bidirectional, cyanobacteriochrome-based light-inducible dimers (BICYCL)s. Nat Methods 2023; 20:432-441. [PMID: 36823330 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-023-01764-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetic tools for controlling protein-protein interactions (PPIs) have been developed from a small number of photosensory modules that respond to a limited selection of wavelengths. Cyanobacteriochrome (CBCR) GAF domain variants respond to an unmatched array of colors; however, their natural molecular mechanisms of action cannot easily be exploited for optogenetic control of PPIs. Here we developed bidirectional, cyanobacteriochrome-based light-inducible dimers (BICYCL)s by engineering synthetic light-dependent interactors for a red/green GAF domain. The systematic approach enables the future engineering of the broad chromatic palette of CBCRs for optogenetics use. BICYCLs are among the smallest optogenetic tools for controlling PPIs and enable either green-ON/red-OFF (BICYCL-Red) or red-ON/green-OFF (BICYCL-Green) control with up to 800-fold state selectivity. The access to green wavelengths creates new opportunities for multiplexing with existing tools. We demonstrate the utility of BICYCLs for controlling protein subcellular localization and transcriptional processes in mammalian cells and for multiplexing with existing blue-light tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaewan Jang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kun Tang
- Institute of Synthetic Biology, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jeffrey Youn
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sherin McDonald
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Hannes M Beyer
- Institute of Synthetic Biology, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Matias D Zurbriggen
- Institute of Synthetic Biology, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany. .,CEPLAS - Cluster of Excellence on Plant Science, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Maruti Uppalapati
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
| | - G Andrew Woolley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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13
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Hoshino H, Narikawa R. Novel cyanobacteriochrome photoreceptor with the second Cys residue showing atypical orange/blue reversible photoconversion. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2023; 22:251-261. [PMID: 36156209 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-022-00310-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs) are cyanobacterial linear tetrapyrrole-binding photoreceptors distantly related to phytochromes. Only the GAF domain is needed for chromophore incorporation and proper photoconversion of the CBCRs. Most CBCR GAF domains possess the canonical Cys residue stably ligating to the chromophore. DXCF-type CBCR GAF domains also possess a second Cys residue within the DXCF motif. This second Cys residue reversibly ligates to the C10 of the chromophore. The Cys adduct formation is mostly observed for the dark-adapted state but not for the photoproduct state. In this study, we discovered novel CBCR GAF domains with a DXCI motif instead of the DXCF motif. Since these CBCR GAF domains are categorized into two subfamilies (DXCI-1 and DXCI-2), the GAF domains from each subfamily were analyzed. Although the CBCR GAF domain belonging to the DXCI-2 subfamily showed orange/green reversible photoconversion without transient Cys ligation, the CBCR GAF domain belonging to the DXCI-1 subfamily showed reversible photoconversion between an orange-absorbing dark-adapted state and a blue-absorbing photoproduct state. This indicates that the second Cys residue is covalently bound to the C10 of the chromophore in the photoproduct state but not in the dark-adapted state. Since the covalent bond formation in the photoproduct state is atypical, site-directed mutagenesis was conducted to understand the molecular mechanism of this GAF domain. The Ile residue within the DXCI motif may be key for covalent bond formation in the photoproduct state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Hoshino
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minami-Ohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan
| | - Rei Narikawa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minami-Ohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan.
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14
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Fang Y, Huang H, Lin K, Xu C, Gu FL, Lan Z. The impact of different geometrical restrictions on the nonadiabatic photoisomerization of biliverdin chromophores. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:26190-26199. [PMID: 36278817 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp02941c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The photoisomerization mechanism of the chromophore of bacterial biliverdin (BV) phytochromes is explored via nonadiabatic dynamics simulation by using the on-the-fly trajectory surface-hopping method at the semi-empirical OM2/MRCI level. Particularly, the current study focuses on the influence of geometrical constrains on the nonadiabatic photoisomerization dynamics of the BV chromophore. Here a rather simplified approach is employed in the nonadiabatic dynamics to capture the features of geometrical constrains, which adds mechanical restrictions to the specific moieties of the BV chromophore. This simplified method provides a rather quick approach to examine the influence of geometrical restrictions on photoisomerization. As expected, different constrains bring distinctive influences on the photoisomerization mechanism of the BV chromophore, giving either strong or minor modification of both involved reaction channels and excited-state lifetimes after the constrains are added in different ring moieties. These observations not only contribute to the primary understanding of the role of the spatial restriction caused by biological environments in photoinduced dynamics of the BV chromophore, but also provide useful ideas for the artificial regulation of the photoisomerization reaction channels of phytochrome proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Fang
- School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Theoretical Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China.
| | - Haiyi Huang
- School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Theoretical Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China.
| | - Kunni Lin
- School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Theoretical Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China.
| | - Chao Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Theoretical Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China.
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, School of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Feng Long Gu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Theoretical Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China.
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, School of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Zhenggang Lan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Theoretical Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China.
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, School of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
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15
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Wu XJ, Qu JY, Wang CT, Zhang YP, Li PP. Biliverdin incorporation into the cyanobacteriochrome SPI1085g3 from Spirulina. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:952678. [PMID: 35983329 PMCID: PMC9378818 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.952678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs) bind linear tetrapyrrole chromophores, mostly phycocyanobilin (PCB), and exhibit considerable spectral diversity with a high potential for biotechnological applications. Particular attention has been given to the conversion into intrinsic biliverdin (BV) incorporation due to the absence of PCB in mammalian cells. Our recent study discovered that a red/green CBCR of Spirulina subsalsa, SPI1085g3, was covalently attached to PCB and exhibited strong red fluorescence with a unique red/dark switch. In this study, we found that SPI1085g3 could be modestly chromophorylated with BV and absorb somewhat shifted (10 nm) red light, while the single C448S mutant could efficiently bind BV and exhibit unidirectional photoconversion and moderate dark reversion. The fluorescence in its dark-adapted state was switched off by red light, followed by a moderate recovery in the dark, and these were properties similar to those of PCB-binding SPI1085g3. Furthermore, by introducing the CY motif into the conserved CH motif for chromophore attachment, we developed another variant, C448S_CY, which showed increased BV-binding efficiency. As expected, C448S_CY had a significant enhancement in fluorescence quantum yield, reaching that of PCB-binding SPI1085g3 (0.14). These BV-binding CBCRs offer an improved platform for the development of unique photoswitchable fluorescent proteins compared with PCB-binding CBCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Jun Wu
- College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Sustainable Forestry in Southern China of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
- National Positioning Observation Station of Hung-tse Lake Wetland Ecosystem in Jiangsu Province, Hongze, China
- *Correspondence: Xian-Jun Wu,
| | - Jia-Ying Qu
- College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chang-Tian Wang
- College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ya-Ping Zhang
- College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ping-Ping Li
- College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Sustainable Forestry in Southern China of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
- National Positioning Observation Station of Hung-tse Lake Wetland Ecosystem in Jiangsu Province, Hongze, China
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16
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Light- and pH-dependent structural changes in cyanobacteriochrome AnPixJg2. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2022; 21:447-469. [PMID: 35394641 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-022-00204-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs) are phytochrome-related photosensory proteins that play an essential role in regulating phototaxis, chromatic acclimation, and cell aggregation in cyanobacteria. Here, we apply solid-state NMR spectroscopy to the red/green GAF2 domain of the CBCR AnPixJ assembled in vitro with a uniformly 13C- and 15N-labeled bilin chromophore, tracking changes in electronic structure, geometry, and structural heterogeneity of the chromophore as well as intimate contacts between the chromophore and protein residues in the photocycle. Our data confirm that the bilin ring D is strongly twisted with respect to the B-C plane in both dark and photoproduct states. We also identify a greater structural heterogeneity of the bilin chromophore in the photoproduct than in the dark state. In addition, the binding pocket is more hydrated in the photoproduct. Observation of interfacial 1H contacts of the photoproduct chromophore, together with quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM)-based structural models for this photoproduct, clearly suggests the presence of a biprotonated (cationic) imidazolium side-chain for a conserved histidine residue (322) at a distance of ~2.7 Å, generalizing the recent theoretical findings that explicitly link the structural heterogeneity of the dark-state chromophore to the protonation of this specific residue. Moreover, we examine pH effects on this in vitro assembled holoprotein, showing a substantially altered electronic structure and protonation of the photoproduct chromophore even with a small pH drop from 7.8 to 7.2. Our studies provide further information regarding the light- and pH-induced changes of the chromophore and the rearrangements of the hydrogen-bonding and electrostatic interaction network around it. Possible correlations between structural heterogeneity of the chromophore, protonation of the histidine residue nearby, and hydration of the pocket in both photostates are discussed.
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17
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Rockwell NC, Moreno MV, Martin SS, Lagarias JC. Protein-chromophore interactions controlling photoisomerization in red/green cyanobacteriochromes. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2022; 21:471-491. [PMID: 35411484 PMCID: PMC9609751 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-022-00213-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Photoreceptors in the phytochrome superfamily use 15,16-photoisomerization of a linear tetrapyrrole (bilin) chromophore to photoconvert between two states with distinct spectral and biochemical properties. Canonical phytochromes include master regulators of plant growth and development in which light signals trigger interconversion between a red-absorbing 15Z dark-adapted state and a metastable, far-red-absorbing 15E photoproduct state. Distantly related cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs) carry out a diverse range of photoregulatory functions in cyanobacteria and exhibit considerable spectral diversity. One widespread CBCR subfamily typically exhibits a red-absorbing 15Z dark-adapted state similar to that of phytochrome that gives rise to a distinct green-absorbing 15E photoproduct. This red/green CBCR subfamily also includes red-inactive examples that fail to undergo photoconversion, providing an opportunity to study protein-chromophore interactions that either promote photoisomerization or block it. In this work, we identified a conserved lineage of red-inactive CBCRs. This enabled us to identify three substitutions sufficient to block photoisomerization in photoactive red/green CBCRs. The resulting red-inactive variants faithfully replicated the fluorescence and circular dichroism properties of naturally occurring examples. Converse substitutions restored photoconversion in naturally red-inactive CBCRs. This work thus identifies protein-chromophore interactions that control the fate of the excited-state population in red/green cyanobacteriochromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan C Rockwell
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| | - Marcus V Moreno
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Shelley S Martin
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - J Clark Lagarias
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
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18
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Identification of significant residues for intermediate accumulation in phycocyanobilin synthesis. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2022; 21:437-446. [PMID: 35394642 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-022-00198-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Phycocyanobilin, the primary pigment of both light perception and light-harvesting in cyanobacteria, is synthesized from biliverdin IXα (BV) through intermediate 181, 182-dihydrobiliverdin (181, 182-DHBV) by a phycocyanobilin:ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PcyA). In our previous study, we discovered two PcyA homologs (AmPcyAc and AmPcyAp) derived from Acaryochloris marina MBIC 11017 (A. marina) that exceptionally uses chlorophyll d as the primary photosynthetic pigment, absorbing longer wavelength far-red light than chlorophyll a, the photosynthetic pigment found in most cyanobacteria. Biochemical characterization of the two PcyA homologs identified functional diversification of these two enzymes: AmPcyAc provides 181, 182-DHBV, and PCB to the cyanobacteriochrome (CBCR) photoreceptors, whereas, AmPcyAp specifically provides PCB to the light-harvesting phycobilisome subunit. In this study, we focused on the residues necessary for 181, 182-DHBV supply to the CBCR photoreceptors by AmPcyAc. Based on the SyPcyA structure, we concentrated on the 30 residues that constitute the substrate-binding pocket. Among them, we discovered that Leu151 and Val225 in AmPcyAc were both substituted with isoleucine. During the enzymatic reaction, the SyPcyA variant molecule, possessing V225I and L151I replacements, accumulates the 181, 182-DHBV and supplies it to a CBCR molecule derived from A. marina. It is worth noting that the substitution of Val225 with isoleucine was specifically conserved among the Acaryochloris genus. Collectively, we propose that the specific evolution of PcyA among the Acaryochloris genus may correlate with the acquisition of Chl. d synthetic ability and growth in long-wavelength far-red light environments.
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19
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Lehtinen K, Nokia MS, Takala H. Red Light Optogenetics in Neuroscience. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 15:778900. [PMID: 35046775 PMCID: PMC8761848 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.778900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Optogenetics, a field concentrating on controlling cellular functions by means of light-activated proteins, has shown tremendous potential in neuroscience. It possesses superior spatiotemporal resolution compared to the surgical, electrical, and pharmacological methods traditionally used in studying brain function. A multitude of optogenetic tools for neuroscience have been created that, for example, enable the control of action potential generation via light-activated ion channels. Other optogenetic proteins have been used in the brain, for example, to control long-term potentiation or to ablate specific subtypes of neurons. In in vivo applications, however, the majority of optogenetic tools are operated with blue, green, or yellow light, which all have limited penetration in biological tissues compared to red light and especially infrared light. This difference is significant, especially considering the size of the rodent brain, a major research model in neuroscience. Our review will focus on the utilization of red light-operated optogenetic tools in neuroscience. We first outline the advantages of red light for in vivo studies. Then we provide a brief overview of the red light-activated optogenetic proteins and systems with a focus on new developments in the field. Finally, we will highlight different tools and applications, which further facilitate the use of red light optogenetics in neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimmo Lehtinen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Nanoscience Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Miriam S. Nokia
- Department of Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Brain Research, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Heikki Takala
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Nanoscience Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
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20
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Tokutomi S, Tsunoda SP. A variety of photoreceptors and the frontiers of optogenetics. Biophys Physicobiol 2022; 19:1-3. [PMID: 35532380 PMCID: PMC8926307 DOI: 10.2142/biophysico.bppb-v19.0004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Satoshi P. Tsunoda
- Department of Life Science and Applied Chemistry, Nagoya Institute of Technology
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21
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Tang K, Beyer HM, Zurbriggen MD, Gärtner W. The Red Edge: Bilin-Binding Photoreceptors as Optogenetic Tools and Fluorescence Reporters. Chem Rev 2021; 121:14906-14956. [PMID: 34669383 PMCID: PMC8707292 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This review adds the bilin-binding phytochromes to the Chemical Reviews thematic issue "Optogenetics and Photopharmacology". The work is structured into two parts. We first outline the photochemistry of the covalently bound tetrapyrrole chromophore and summarize relevant spectroscopic, kinetic, biochemical, and physiological properties of the different families of phytochromes. Based on this knowledge, we then describe the engineering of phytochromes to further improve these chromoproteins as photoswitches and review their employment in an ever-growing number of different optogenetic applications. Most applications rely on the light-controlled complex formation between the plant photoreceptor PhyB and phytochrome-interacting factors (PIFs) or C-terminal light-regulated domains with enzymatic functions present in many bacterial and algal phytochromes. Phytochrome-based optogenetic tools are currently implemented in bacteria, yeast, plants, and animals to achieve light control of a wide range of biological activities. These cover the regulation of gene expression, protein transport into cell organelles, and the recruitment of phytochrome- or PIF-tagged proteins to membranes and other cellular compartments. This compilation illustrates the intrinsic advantages of phytochromes compared to other photoreceptor classes, e.g., their bidirectional dual-wavelength control enabling instant ON and OFF regulation. In particular, the long wavelength range of absorption and fluorescence within the "transparent window" makes phytochromes attractive for complex applications requiring deep tissue penetration or dual-wavelength control in combination with blue and UV light-sensing photoreceptors. In addition to the wide variability of applications employing natural and engineered phytochromes, we also discuss recent progress in the development of bilin-based fluorescent proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Tang
- Institute
of Synthetic Biology, Heinrich-Heine-University
Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hannes M. Beyer
- Institute
of Synthetic Biology, Heinrich-Heine-University
Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Matias D. Zurbriggen
- Institute
of Synthetic Biology and CEPLAS, Heinrich-Heine-University
Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse
1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Gärtner
- Retired: Max Planck Institute
for Chemical Energy Conversion. At present: Institute for Analytical Chemistry, University
Leipzig, Linnéstrasse
3, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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22
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Sakai K, Kondo Y, Fujioka H, Kamiya M, Aoki K, Goto Y. Near-infrared imaging in fission yeast using a genetically encoded phycocyanobilin biosynthesis system. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:273759. [PMID: 34806750 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.259315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Near-infrared fluorescent protein (iRFP) is a bright and stable fluorescent protein with near-infrared excitation and emission maxima. Unlike the other conventional fluorescent proteins, iRFP requires biliverdin (BV) as a chromophore. Here, we report that phycocyanobilin (PCB) functions as a brighter chromophore for iRFP than BV, and that biosynthesis of PCB allows live-cell imaging with iRFP in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. We initially found that fission yeast cells did not produce BV and therefore did not show any iRFP fluorescence. The brightness of iRFP-PCB was higher than that of iRFP-BV both in vitro and in fission yeast. We introduced SynPCB2.1, a PCB biosynthesis system, into fission yeast, resulting in the brightest iRFP fluorescence. To make iRFP readily available in fission yeast, we developed an endogenous gene tagging system with iRFP and all-in-one integration plasmids carrying the iRFP-fused marker proteins together with SynPCB2.1. These tools not only enable the easy use of multiplexed live-cell imaging in fission yeast with a broader color palette, but also open the door to new opportunities for near-infrared fluorescence imaging in a wider range of living organisms. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichiro Sakai
- Quantitative Biology Research Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan.,Division of Quantitative Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan.,Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
| | - Yohei Kondo
- Quantitative Biology Research Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan.,Division of Quantitative Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan.,Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Fujioka
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Mako Kamiya
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Aoki
- Quantitative Biology Research Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan.,Division of Quantitative Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan.,Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
| | - Yuhei Goto
- Quantitative Biology Research Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan.,Division of Quantitative Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan.,Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
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23
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Buhrke D. The impact of chromophore choice on the assembly kinetics and primary photochemistry of a red/green cyanobacteriochrome. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:20867-20874. [PMID: 34374395 PMCID: PMC8479780 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp02696h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs) are bi-stable photoreceptor proteins with high potential for biotechnological applications. Most of these proteins utilize phycocyanobilin (PCB) as a light-sensing co-factor, which is unique to cyanobacteria, but some variants also incorporate biliverdin (BV). The latter are of particular interest for biotechnology due to the natural abundance and red-shifted absorption of BV. Here, AmI-g2 was investigated, a CBCR capable of binding both PCB and BV. The assembly kinetics and primary photochemistry of AmI-g2 with both chromophores were studied in vitro. The assembly reaction with PCB is roughly 10× faster than BV, and the formation of a non-covalent intermediate was identified as the rate-limiting step in the case of BV. This step is fast for PCB, where the formation of the covalent thioether bond between AmI-g2 and PCB becomes rate-limiting. The photochemical quantum yields of the forward and backward reactions of AmI-g2 were estimated and discussed in the context of homologous CBCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Buhrke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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Liu X, Zhang T, Fang Q, Fang W, González L, Cui G. Hydrogen‐Bond Network Determines the Early Photoisomerization Processes of Cph1 and AnPixJ Phytochromes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202104853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiang‐Yang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry Ministry of Education College of Chemistry Beijing Normal University Beijing 100875 China
- College of Chemistry and Material Science Sichuan Normal University Chengdu 610068 China
| | - Teng‐Shuo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry Ministry of Education College of Chemistry Beijing Normal University Beijing 100875 China
| | - Qiu Fang
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry Ministry of Education College of Chemistry Beijing Normal University Beijing 100875 China
| | - Wei‐Hai Fang
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry Ministry of Education College of Chemistry Beijing Normal University Beijing 100875 China
| | - Leticia González
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry Faculty of Chemistry University of Vienna Währinger Straße 17 1090 Vienna Austria
| | - Ganglong Cui
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry Ministry of Education College of Chemistry Beijing Normal University Beijing 100875 China
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Liu XY, Zhang TS, Fang Q, Fang WH, González L, Cui G. Hydrogen-Bond Network Determines the Early Photoisomerization Processes of Cph1 and AnPixJ Phytochromes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:18688-18693. [PMID: 34097335 PMCID: PMC8456922 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202104853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Phytochrome proteins are light receptors that play a pivotal role in regulating the life cycles of plants and microorganisms. Intriguingly, while cyanobacterial phytochrome Cph1 and cyanobacteriochrome AnPixJ use the same phycocyanobilin (PCB) chromophore to absorb light, their excited‐state behavior is very different. We employ multiscale calculations to rationalize the different early photoisomerization mechanisms of PCB in Cph1 and AnPixJ. We found that their electronic S1, T1, and S0 potential minima exhibit distinct geometric and electronic structures due to different hydrogen bond networks with the protein environment. These specific interactions influence the S1 electronic structures along the photoisomerization paths, ultimately leading to internal conversion in Cph1 but intersystem crossing in AnPixJ. This explains why the excited‐state relaxation in AnPixJ is much slower (ca. 100 ns) than in Cph1 (ca. 30 ps). Further, we predict that efficient internal conversion in AnPixJ can be achieved upon protonating the carboxylic group that interacts with PCB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Yang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.,College of Chemistry and Material Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, 610068, China
| | - Teng-Shuo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Qiu Fang
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Wei-Hai Fang
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Leticia González
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 17, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ganglong Cui
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Photochemistry Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
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Makita Y, Suzuki S, Fushimi K, Shimada S, Suehisa A, Hirata M, Kuriyama T, Kurihara Y, Hamasaki H, Okubo-Kurihara E, Yoshitake K, Watanabe T, Sakuta M, Gojobori T, Sakami T, Narikawa R, Yamaguchi H, Kawachi M, Matsui M. Identification of a dual orange/far-red and blue light photoreceptor from an oceanic green picoplankton. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3593. [PMID: 34135337 PMCID: PMC8209157 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23741-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Photoreceptors are conserved in green algae to land plants and regulate various developmental stages. In the ocean, blue light penetrates deeper than red light, and blue-light sensing is key to adapting to marine environments. Here, a search for blue-light photoreceptors in the marine metagenome uncover a chimeric gene composed of a phytochrome and a cryptochrome (Dualchrome1, DUC1) in a prasinophyte, Pycnococcus provasolii. DUC1 detects light within the orange/far-red and blue spectra, and acts as a dual photoreceptor. Analyses of its genome reveal the possible mechanisms of light adaptation. Genes for the light-harvesting complex (LHC) are duplicated and transcriptionally regulated under monochromatic orange/blue light, suggesting P. provasolii has acquired environmental adaptability to a wide range of light spectra and intensities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Makita
- Synthetic Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Shigekatsu Suzuki
- Biodiversity Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Keiji Fushimi
- Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
- Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Saitama, Japan
| | - Setsuko Shimada
- Synthetic Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Aya Suehisa
- Synthetic Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Manami Hirata
- Synthetic Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Tomoko Kuriyama
- Synthetic Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yukio Kurihara
- Synthetic Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hidefumi Hamasaki
- Synthetic Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
- Yokohama City University, Kihara Institute for Biological Research, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Emiko Okubo-Kurihara
- Synthetic Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kazutoshi Yoshitake
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Watanabe
- Fisheries Resources Institute, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Masaaki Sakuta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ochanomizu University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Gojobori
- Computational Bioscience Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Tomoko Sakami
- Fisheries Resources Institute, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, Minami-ise, Mie, Japan
| | - Rei Narikawa
- Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
- Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Saitama, Japan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Haruyo Yamaguchi
- Biodiversity Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Masanobu Kawachi
- Biodiversity Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Minami Matsui
- Synthetic Genomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan.
- Yokohama City University, Kihara Institute for Biological Research, Yokohama, Japan.
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An Engineered Biliverdin-Compatible Cyanobacteriochrome Enables a Unique Ultrafast Reversible Photoswitching Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105252. [PMID: 34065754 PMCID: PMC8156171 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs) are promising optogenetic tools for their diverse absorption properties with a single compact cofactor-binding domain. We previously uncovered the ultrafast reversible photoswitching dynamics of a red/green photoreceptor AnPixJg2, which binds phycocyanobilin (PCB) that is unavailable in mammalian cells. Biliverdin (BV) is a mammalian cofactor with a similar structure to PCB but exhibits redder absorption. To improve the AnPixJg2 feasibility in mammalian applications, AnPixJg2_BV4 with only four mutations has been engineered to incorporate BV. Herein, we implemented femtosecond transient absorption (fs-TA) and ground state femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (GS-FSRS) to uncover transient electronic dynamics on molecular time scales and key structural motions responsible for the photoconversion of AnPixJg2_BV4 with PCB (Bpcb) and BV (Bbv) cofactors in comparison with the parent AnPixJg2 (Apcb). Bpcb adopts the same photoconversion scheme as Apcb, while BV4 mutations create a less bulky environment around the cofactor D ring that promotes a faster twist. The engineered Bbv employs a reversible clockwise/counterclockwise photoswitching that requires a two-step twist on ~5 and 35 picosecond (ps) time scales. The primary forward Pfr → Po transition displays equal amplitude weights between the two processes before reaching a conical intersection. In contrast, the primary reverse Po → Pfr transition shows a 2:1 weight ratio of the ~35 ps over 5 ps component, implying notable changes to the D-ring-twisting pathway. Moreover, we performed pre-resonance GS-FSRS and quantum calculations to identify the Bbv vibrational marker bands at ~659,797, and 1225 cm-1. These modes reveal a stronger H-bonding network around the BV cofactor A ring with BV4 mutations, corroborating the D-ring-dominant reversible photoswitching pathway in the excited state. Implementation of BV4 mutations in other PCB-binding GAF domains like AnPixJg4, AM1_1870g3, and NpF2164g5 could promote similar efficient reversible photoswitching for more directional bioimaging and optogenetic applications, and inspire other bioengineering advances.
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Tachibana SR, Tang L, Chen C, Zhu L, Takeda Y, Fushimi K, Seevers TK, Narikawa R, Sato M, Fang C. Transient electronic and vibrational signatures during reversible photoswitching of a cyanobacteriochrome photoreceptor. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2021; 250:119379. [PMID: 33401182 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2020.119379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs) are an emerging class of photoreceptors that are distant relatives of the phytochromes family. Unlike phytochromes, CBCRs have gained popularity in optogenetics due to their highly diverse spectral properties spanning the UV to near-IR region and only needing a single compact binding domain. AnPixJg2 is a CBCR that can reversibly photoswitch between its red-absorbing (15ZPr) and green-absorbing (15EPg) forms of the phycocyanobilin (PCB) cofactor. To reveal primary events of photoconversion, we implemented femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy with a homemade LED box and a miniature peristaltic pump flow cell to track transient electronic responses of the photoexcited AnPixJg2 on molecular time scales. The 525 nm laser-induced Pg-to-Pr reverse conversion exhibits a ~3 ps excited-state lifetime before reaching the conical intersection (CI) and undergoing further relaxation on the 30 ps time scale to generate a long-lived Lumi-G ground state intermediate en route to Pr. The 650 nm laser-induced Pr-to-Pg forward conversion is less efficient than reverse conversion, showing a longer-lived excited state which requires two steps with ~13 and 217 ps time constants to enter the CI region. Furthermore, using a tunable ps Raman pump with broadband Raman probe on both the Stokes and anti-Stokes sides, we collected the pre-resonance ground-state femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (GS-FSRS) data with mode assignments aided by quantum calculations. Key vibrational marker bands at ~850, 1050, 1615, and 1649 cm-1 of the Pr conformer exhibit a notable blueshift to those of the Pg conformer inside AnPixJg2, reflecting the PCB chromophore terminal D (major) and A (minor) ring twist along the primary photoswitching reaction coordinate. This integrated ultrafast spectroscopy and computational platform has the potential to elucidate photochemistry and photophysics of more CBCRs and photoactive proteins in general, providing the highly desirable mechanistic insights to facilitate the rational design of functional molecular sensors and devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean R Tachibana
- Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, 153 Gilbert Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-4003, United States
| | - Longteng Tang
- Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, 153 Gilbert Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-4003, United States
| | - Cheng Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, 153 Gilbert Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-4003, United States
| | - Liangdong Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, 153 Gilbert Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-4003, United States
| | - Yuka Takeda
- Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 422-8529 Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Keiji Fushimi
- Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 422-8529 Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Travis K Seevers
- Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, 153 Gilbert Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-4003, United States
| | - Rei Narikawa
- Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 422-8529 Shizuoka, Japan; Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency, 332-0012 Saitama, Japan
| | - Moritoshi Sato
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, 153-8902 Tokyo, Japan; Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency, 332-0012 Saitama, Japan
| | - Chong Fang
- Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, 153 Gilbert Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-4003, United States.
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Bandara S, Rockwell NC, Zeng X, Ren Z, Wang C, Shin H, Martin SS, Moreno MV, Lagarias JC, Yang X. Crystal structure of a far-red-sensing cyanobacteriochrome reveals an atypical bilin conformation and spectral tuning mechanism. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2025094118. [PMID: 33727422 PMCID: PMC8000052 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2025094118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs) are small, linear tetrapyrrole (bilin)-binding photoreceptors in the phytochrome superfamily that regulate diverse light-mediated adaptive processes in cyanobacteria. More spectrally diverse than canonical red/far-red-sensing phytochromes, CBCRs were thought to be restricted to sensing visible and near UV light until recently when several subfamilies with far-red-sensing representatives (frCBCRs) were discovered. Two of these frCBCRs subfamilies have been shown to incorporate bilin precursors with larger pi-conjugated chromophores, while the third frCBCR subfamily uses the same phycocyanobilin precursor found in the bulk of the known CBCRs. To elucidate the molecular basis of far-red light perception by this third frCBCR subfamily, we determined the crystal structure of the far-red-absorbing dark state of one such frCBCR Anacy_2551g3 from Anabaena cylindrica PCC 7122 which exhibits a reversible far-red/orange photocycle. Determined by room temperature serial crystallography and cryocrystallography, the refined 2.7-Å structure reveals an unusual all-Z,syn configuration of the phycocyanobilin (PCB) chromophore that is considerably less extended than those of previously characterized red-light sensors in the phytochrome superfamily. Based on structural and spectroscopic comparisons with other bilin-binding proteins together with site-directed mutagenesis data, our studies reveal protein-chromophore interactions that are critical for the atypical bathochromic shift. Based on these analyses, we propose that far-red absorption in Anacy_2551g3 is the result of the additive effect of two distinct red-shift mechanisms involving cationic bilin lactim tautomers stabilized by a constrained all-Z,syn conformation and specific interactions with a highly conserved anionic residue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepalika Bandara
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60607
| | - Nathan C Rockwell
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Xiaoli Zeng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60607
| | - Zhong Ren
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60607
| | - Cong Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60607
| | - Heewhan Shin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60607
| | - Shelley S Martin
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Marcus V Moreno
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - J Clark Lagarias
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616;
| | - Xiaojing Yang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60607;
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60607
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30
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Phytochromes and Cyanobacteriochromes: Photoreceptor Molecules Incorporating a Linear Tetrapyrrole Chromophore. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1293:167-187. [PMID: 33398813 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-15-8763-4_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In this chapter, we summarize the molecular mechanisms of the linear tetrapyrrole-binding photoreceptors, phytochromes, and cyanobacteriochromes. We especially focus on the color-tuning mechanisms and conformational changes during the photoconversion process. Furthermore, we introduce current status of development of the optogenetic tools based on these molecules. Huge repertoire of these photoreceptors with diverse spectral properties would contribute to development of multiplex optogenetic regulation. Among them, the photoreceptors incorporating the biliverdin IXα chromophore is advantageous for in vivo optogenetics because this is intrinsic in the mammalian cells, and absorbs far-red light penetrating into deep mammalian tissues.
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31
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Montecinos-Franjola F, Lin JY, Rodriguez EA. Fluorescent proteins for in vivo imaging, where's the biliverdin? Biochem Soc Trans 2020; 48:2657-2667. [PMID: 33196077 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Noninvasive fluorescent imaging requires far-red and near-infrared fluorescent proteins for deeper imaging. Near-infrared light penetrates biological tissue with blood vessels due to low absorbance, scattering, and reflection of light and has a greater signal-to-noise due to less autofluorescence. Far-red and near-infrared fluorescent proteins absorb light >600 nm to expand the color palette for imaging multiple biosensors and noninvasive in vivo imaging. The ideal fluorescent proteins are bright, photobleach minimally, express well in the desired cells, do not oligomerize, and generate or incorporate exogenous fluorophores efficiently. Coral-derived red fluorescent proteins require oxygen for fluorophore formation and release two hydrogen peroxide molecules. New fluorescent proteins based on phytochrome and phycobiliproteins use biliverdin IXα as fluorophores, do not require oxygen for maturation to image anaerobic organisms and tumor core, and do not generate hydrogen peroxide. The small Ultra-Red Fluorescent Protein (smURFP) was evolved from a cyanobacterial phycobiliprotein to covalently attach biliverdin as an exogenous fluorophore. The small Ultra-Red Fluorescent Protein is biophysically as bright as the enhanced green fluorescent protein, is exceptionally photostable, used for biosensor development, and visible in living mice. Novel applications of smURFP include in vitro protein diagnostics with attomolar (10-18 M) sensitivity, encapsulation in viral particles, and fluorescent protein nanoparticles. However, the availability of biliverdin limits the fluorescence of biliverdin-attaching fluorescent proteins; hence, extra biliverdin is needed to enhance brightness. New methods for improved biliverdin bioavailability are necessary to develop improved bright far-red and near-infrared fluorescent proteins for noninvasive imaging in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John Y Lin
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia
| | - Erik A Rodriguez
- Department of Chemistry, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, U.S.A
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Abstract
Cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs) are photoswitchable linear tetrapyrrole (bilin)-based light sensors in the phytochrome superfamily with a broad spectral range from the near UV through the far red (330 to 760 nm). The recent discovery of far-red absorbing CBCRs (frCBCRs) has garnered considerable interest from the optogenetic and imaging communities because of the deep penetrance of far-red light into mammalian tissue and the small size of the CBCR protein scaffold. The present studies were undertaken to determine the structural basis for far-red absorption by JSC1_58120g3, a frCBCR from the thermophilic cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya sp. JSC-1 that is a representative member of a phylogenetically distinct class. Unlike most CBCRs that bind phycocyanobilin (PCB), a phycobilin naturally occurring in cyanobacteria and only a few eukaryotic phototrophs, JSC1_58120g3's far-red absorption arises from incorporation of the PCB biosynthetic intermediate 181,182-dihydrobiliverdin (181,182-DHBV) rather than the more reduced and more abundant PCB. JSC1_58120g3 can also yield a far-red-absorbing adduct with the more widespread linear tetrapyrrole biliverdin IXα (BV), thus circumventing the need to coproduce or supplement optogenetic cell lines with PCB. Using high-resolution X-ray crystal structures of 181,182-DHBV and BV adducts of JSC1_58120g3 along with structure-guided mutagenesis, we have defined residues critical for its verdin-binding preference and far-red absorption. Far-red sensing and verdin incorporation make this frCBCR lineage an attractive template for developing robust optogenetic and imaging reagents for deep tissue applications.
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Fushimi K, Matsunaga T, Narikawa R. A photoproduct of DXCF cyanobacteriochromes without reversible Cys ligation is destabilized by rotating ring twist of the chromophore. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2020; 19:1289-1299. [PMID: 32789394 DOI: 10.1039/d0pp00208a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Cyanobacteriochrome photoreceptors (CBCRs) ligate linear tetrapyrrole chromophores via their first (canonical) Cys residue and show reversible photoconversion triggered by light-dependent Z/E isomerization of the chromophore. Among the huge repertoire of CBCRs, DXCF CBCRs contain a second Cys residue within the highly conserved Asp-Xaa-Cys-Phe (DXCF) motif. In the typical receptors, the second Cys covalently attaches to the 15Z-chromophore in the dark state and detaches from the 15E-chromophore in the photoproduct state, whereas atypical ones that lack reversible ligation activity show red-shifted absorption in the dark state due to a more extended π-conjugated system. Moreover, some DXCF CBCRs show blue-shifted absorption in the photoproduct state due to the twisted geometry of the rotating ring. During the process of rational color tuning of a certain DXCF CBCR, we unexpectedly found that twisted photoproducts of some variant molecules showed dark reversion to the dark state, which prompted us to hypothesize that the photoproduct is destabilized by the twisted geometry of the rotating ring. In this study, we comprehensively examined the photoproduct stability of the twisted and relaxed molecules derived from the same CBCR scaffolds under dark conditions. In the DXCF CBCRs lacking reversible ligation activity, the twisted photoproducts showed faster dark reversion than the relaxed ones, supporting our hypothesis. By contrast, in the DXCF CBCRs exhibiting reversible ligation activity, the twisted photoproducts showed no detectable photoconversion. Reversible Cys adduct formation thus results in drastic rearrangement of the protein-chromophore interaction in the photoproduct state, which would contribute to the previously unknown photoproduct stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiji Fushimi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan. and Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | - Takumi Matsunaga
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan.
| | - Rei Narikawa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan. and Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan and Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan
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34
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Fushimi K, Hoshino H, Shinozaki-Narikawa N, Kuwasaki Y, Miyake K, Nakajima T, Sato M, Kano F, Narikawa R. The Cruciality of Single Amino Acid Replacement for the Spectral Tuning of Biliverdin-Binding Cyanobacteriochromes. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21176278. [PMID: 32872628 PMCID: PMC7504144 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs), which are known as linear tetrapyrrole-binding photoreceptors, to date can only be detected from cyanobacteria. They can perceive light only in a small unit, which is categorized into various lineages in correlation with their spectral and structural characteristics. Recently, we have succeeded in identifying specific molecules, which can incorporate mammalian intrinsic biliverdin (BV), from the expanded red/green (XRG) CBCR lineage and in converting BV-rejective molecules into BV-acceptable ones with the elucidation of the structural basis. Among the BV-acceptable molecules, AM1_1870g3_BV4 shows a spectral red-shift in comparison with other molecules, while NpF2164g5_BV4 does not show photoconversion but stably shows a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence. In this study, we found that AM1_1870g3_BV4 had a specific Tyr residue near the d-ring of the chromophore, while others had a highly conserved Leu residue. The replacement of this Tyr residue with Leu in AM1_1870g3_BV4 resulted in a blue-shift of absorption peak. In contrast, reverse replacement in NpF2164g5_BV4 resulted in a red-shift of absorption and fluorescence peaks, which applies to fluorescence bio-imaging in mammalian cells. Notably, the same Tyr/Leu-dependent color-tuning is also observed for the CBCRs belonging to the other lineage, which indicates common molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiji Fushimi
- Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan; (K.F.); (H.H.); (K.M.)
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan;
| | - Hiroki Hoshino
- Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan; (K.F.); (H.H.); (K.M.)
| | - Naeko Shinozaki-Narikawa
- Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan; (N.S.-N.); (F.K.)
| | - Yuto Kuwasaki
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan; (Y.K.); (T.N.)
| | - Keita Miyake
- Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan; (K.F.); (H.H.); (K.M.)
| | - Takahiro Nakajima
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan; (Y.K.); (T.N.)
- Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, 705-1 Shimoimaizumi, Ebina, Kanagawa 243-0435, Japan
| | - Moritoshi Sato
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan;
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan; (Y.K.); (T.N.)
| | - Fumi Kano
- Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan; (N.S.-N.); (F.K.)
| | - Rei Narikawa
- Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan; (K.F.); (H.H.); (K.M.)
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan;
- Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-54-238-4783
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Kim Y, Xu QZ, Zhao KH, Gärtner W, Matysik J, Song C. Lyophilization Reveals a Multitude of Structural Conformations in the Chromophore of a Cph2-like Phytochrome. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:7115-7127. [PMID: 32693592 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c03431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria sense and respond to various colors of light employing a large number of bilin-based phytochrome-like photoreceptors. All2699 from Nostoc 7120 has three consecutive GAF domains with GAF1 and GAF3 binding a phycocyanobilin chromophore. GAF1, even when expressed independently, can be photoconverted between red-absorbing Pr and far-red-absorbing Pfr states, while the nonphotosensory GAF2 domain is structurally and functionally homologous to the PHY domains in canonical and Cph2-like phytochromes. Here, we characterize possible bilin chromophore conformers using solid-state NMR spectroscopy on the two lyophilized All2699 samples (GAF1-only and GAF1-PHY constructs). On the basis of complete 1H, 13C, and 15N assignments for the chromophore obtained on the two Pr lyophilizates, multiple static conformations of the chromophore in both cases are identified. Moreover, most atoms of the chromophore in the bidomain sample show only subtle changes in the mean chemical shifts relative to those in frozen solution (FS), indicating an optimized interaction of the GAF2 domain with the GAF1-bound chromophore. Our results confirm the conservation of key chromophore-protein interactions and the photoreversibility in both All2699 lyophilizates, offering the possibility to investigate conformational distributions of the heterogeneous chromophore and its functional consequences in phytochromes and other bilin-dependent photoreceptors intractable by the solid-state NMR technique as FSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunmi Kim
- Institut für Analytische Chemie, Universität Leipzig, Linnéstraße 3, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Qian-Zhao Xu
- Institut für Analytische Chemie, Universität Leipzig, Linnéstraße 3, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.,State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Kai-Hong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Wolfgang Gärtner
- Institut für Analytische Chemie, Universität Leipzig, Linnéstraße 3, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jörg Matysik
- Institut für Analytische Chemie, Universität Leipzig, Linnéstraße 3, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Chen Song
- Institut für Analytische Chemie, Universität Leipzig, Linnéstraße 3, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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36
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Villafani Y, Yang HW, Park YI. Color Sensing and Signal Transmission Diversity of Cyanobacterial Phytochromes and Cyanobacteriochromes. Mol Cells 2020; 43:509-516. [PMID: 32438780 PMCID: PMC7332365 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2020.0077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
To perceive fluctuations in light quality, quantity, and timing, higher plants have evolved diverse photoreceptors including UVR8 (a UV-B photoreceptor), cryptochromes, phototropins, and phytochromes (Phys). In contrast to plants, prokaryotic oxygen-evolving photosynthetic organisms, cyanobacteria, rely mostly on bilin-based photoreceptors, namely, cyanobacterial phytochromes (Cphs) and cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs), which exhibit structural and functional differences compared with plant Phys. CBCRs comprise varying numbers of light sensing domains with diverse color-tuning mechanisms and signal transmission pathways, allowing cyanobacteria to respond to UV-A, visible, and far-red lights. Recent genomic surveys of filamentous cyanobacteria revealed novel CBCRs with broader chromophore-binding specificity and photocycle protochromicity. Furthermore, a novel Cph lineage has been identified that absorbs blue-violet/yellow-orange light. In this minireview, we briefly discuss the diversity in color sensing and signal transmission mechanisms of Cphs and CBCRs, along with their potential utility in the field of optogenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvette Villafani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Hee Wook Yang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Youn-Il Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
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Evolution-inspired design of multicolored photoswitches from a single cyanobacteriochrome scaffold. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:15573-15580. [PMID: 32571944 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2004273117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs) are small, bistable linear tetrapyrrole (bilin)-binding light sensors which are typically found as modular components in multidomain cyanobacterial signaling proteins. The CBCR family has been categorized into many lineages that roughly correlate with their spectral diversity, but CBCRs possessing a conserved DXCF motif are found in multiple lineages. DXCF CBCRs typically possess two conserved Cys residues: a first Cys that remains ligated to the bilin chromophore and a second Cys found in the DXCF motif. The second Cys often forms a second thioether linkage, providing a mechanism to sense blue and violet light. DXCF CBCRs have been described with blue/green, blue/orange, blue/teal, and green/teal photocycles, and the molecular basis for some of this spectral diversity has been well established. We here characterize AM1_1499g1, an atypical DXCF CBCR that lacks the second cysteine residue and exhibits an orange/green photocycle. Based on prior studies of CBCR spectral tuning, we have successfully engineered seven AM1_1499g1 variants that exhibit robust yellow/teal, green/teal, blue/teal, orange/yellow, yellow/green, green/green, and blue/green photocycles. The remarkable spectral diversity generated by modification of a single CBCR provides a good template for multiplexing synthetic photobiology systems within the same cellular context, thereby bypassing the time-consuming empirical optimization process needed for multiple probes with different protein scaffolds.
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Kashimoto T, Miyake K, Sato M, Maeda K, Matsumoto C, Ikeuchi M, Toyooka K, Watanabe S, Kanesaki Y, Narikawa R. Acclimation process of the chlorophyll d-bearing cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina to an orange light environment revealed by transcriptomic analysis and electron microscopic observation. J GEN APPL MICROBIOL 2020; 66:106-115. [PMID: 32147625 DOI: 10.2323/jgam.2019.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina MBIC 11017 (A. marina 11017) possesses chlorophyll d (Chl. d) peaking at 698 nm as photosystem reaction center pigments, instead of chlorophyll a (Chl. a) peaking at 665 nm. About 95% of the total chlorophylls is Chl. d in A. marina 11017. In addition, A. marina 11017 possesses phycobilisome (PBS) supercomplex to harvest orange light and to transfer the absorbing energy to the photosystems. In this context, A. marina 11017 utilizes both far-red and orange light as the photosynthetic energy source. In the present study, we incubated A. marina 11017 cells under monochromatic orange and far-red light conditions and performed transcriptional and morphological studies by RNA-seq analysis and electron microscopy. Cellular absorption spectra, transcriptomic profiles, and microscopic observations demonstrated that PBS was highly accumulated under an orange light condition relative to a far-red light condition. Notably, transcription of one cpcBA operon encoding the phycobiliprotein of the phycocyanin was up-regulated under the orange light condition, but another operon was constitutively expressed under both conditions, indicating functional diversification of these two operons for light harvesting. Taking the other observations into consideration, we could illustrate the photoacclimation processes of A. marina 11017 in response to orange and far-red light conditions in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomonori Kashimoto
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Shizuoka University
| | - Keita Miyake
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Shizuoka University
| | - Mayuko Sato
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
| | - Kaisei Maeda
- Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo.,Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture
| | | | - Masahiko Ikeuchi
- Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo.,Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency
| | | | | | - Yu Kanesaki
- Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University.,NODAI Genome Research Center, Tokyo University of Agriculture
| | - Rei Narikawa
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Shizuoka University.,Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency.,Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University
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Das S, Zhao L, Crooke SN, Tran L, Bhattacharya S, Gaucher EA, Finn MG. Stabilization of Near-Infrared Fluorescent Proteins by Packaging in Virus-like Particles. Biomacromolecules 2020; 21:2432-2439. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c00362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Soumen Das
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, 901 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30306, United States
| | - Liangjun Zhao
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, 901 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30306, United States
| | - Stephen N. Crooke
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, 901 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30306, United States
| | - Lily Tran
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - Sonia Bhattacharya
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, 901 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30306, United States
| | - Eric A. Gaucher
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
| | - M. G. Finn
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, 901 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30306, United States
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 901 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30306, United States
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Rockwell NC, Lagarias JC. Phytochrome evolution in 3D: deletion, duplication, and diversification. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 225:2283-2300. [PMID: 31595505 PMCID: PMC7028483 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Canonical plant phytochromes are master regulators of photomorphogenesis and the shade avoidance response. They are also part of a widespread superfamily of photoreceptors with diverse spectral and biochemical properties. Plant phytochromes belong to a clade including other phytochromes from glaucophyte, prasinophyte, and streptophyte algae (all members of the Archaeplastida) and those from cryptophyte algae. This is consistent with recent analyses supporting the existence of an AC (Archaeplastida + Cryptista) clade. AC phytochromes have been proposed to arise from ancestral cyanobacterial genes via endosymbiotic gene transfer (EGT), but most recent studies instead support multiple horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events to generate extant eukaryotic phytochromes. In principle, this scenario would be compared to the emerging understanding of early events in eukaryotic evolution to generate a coherent picture. Unfortunately, there is currently a major discrepancy between the evolution of phytochromes and the evolution of eukaryotes; phytochrome evolution is thus not a solved problem. We therefore examine phytochrome evolution in a broader context. Within this context, we can identify three important themes in phytochrome evolution: deletion, duplication, and diversification. These themes drive phytochrome evolution as organisms evolve in response to environmental challenges.
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Miyake K, Fushimi K, Kashimoto T, Maeda K, Ni-Ni-Win, Kimura H, Sugishima M, Ikeuchi M, Narikawa R. Functional diversification of two bilin reductases for light perception and harvesting in unique cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina MBIC 11017. FEBS J 2020; 287:4016-4031. [PMID: 31995844 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Bilin pigments play important roles for both light perception and harvesting in cyanobacteria by binding to cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs) and phycobilisomes (PBS), respectively. Among various cyanobacteria, Acaryochloris marina MBIC 11017 (A. marina 11017) exceptionally uses chlorophyll d as the main photosynthetic pigment absorbing longer wavelength light than the canonical pigment, chlorophyll a, indicating existence of a system to sense longer wavelength light than others. On the other hand, A. marina 11017 has the PBS apparatus to harvest short-wavelength orange light, similar to most cyanobacteria. Thus, A. marina 11017 might sense longer wavelength light and harvest shorter wavelength light by using bilin pigments. Phycocyanobilin (PCB) is the main bilin pigment of both systems. Phycocyanobilin:ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PcyA) catalyzes PCB synthesis from biliverdin via the intermediate 181 ,182 -dihydrobiliverdin (181 ,182 -DHBV), resulting in the stepwise shortening of the absorbing wavelengths. In this study, we found that A. marina 11017 exceptionally encodes two PcyA homologs, AmPcyAc and AmPcyAp. AmPcyAc is encoded on the main chromosome with most photoreceptor genes, whereas AmPcyAp is encoded on a plasmid with PBS-related genes. High accumulation of 181 ,182 -DHBV for extended periods was observed during the reaction catalyzed by AmPcyAc, whereas 181 ,182 -DHBV was transiently accumulated for a short period during the reaction catalyzed by AmPcyAp. CBCRs could sense longer wavelength far-red light through 181 ,182 -DHBV incorporation, whereas PBS could only harvest orange light through PCB incorporation, suggesting functional diversification of PcyA as AmPcyAc and AmPcyAp to provide 181 ,182 -DHBV and PCB to the light perception and harvesting systems, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keita Miyake
- Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Japan
| | - Keiji Fushimi
- Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Japan.,Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Japan
| | - Tomonori Kashimoto
- Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Japan
| | - Kaisei Maeda
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ni-Ni-Win
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kimura
- Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Japan.,Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Japan
| | - Masakazu Sugishima
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Kurume University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Masahiko Ikeuchi
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Japan.,Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rei Narikawa
- Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Japan.,Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Japan.,Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Japan
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Protein Engineering of Dual-Cys Cyanobacteriochrome AM1_1186g2 for Biliverdin Incorporation and Far-Red/Blue Reversible Photoconversion. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20122935. [PMID: 31208089 PMCID: PMC6628166 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20122935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2019] [Revised: 06/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria have cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs), which are photoreceptors that bind to a linear tetrapyrrole chromophore and sense UV-to-visible light. A recent study revealed that the dual-Cys CBCR AM1_1186g2 covalently attaches to phycocyanobilin and exhibits unique photoconversion between a Pr form (red-absorbing dark state, λmax = 641 nm) and Pb form (blue-absorbing photoproduct, λmax = 416 nm). This wavelength separation is larger than those of the other CBCRs, which is advantageous for optical tools. Nowadays, bioimaging and optogenetics technologies are powerful tools for biological research. In particular, the utilization of far-red and near-infrared light sources is required for noninvasive applications to mammals because of their high potential to penetrate into deep tissues. Biliverdin (BV) is an intrinsic chromophore and absorbs the longest wavelength among natural linear tetrapyrrole chromophores. Although the BV-binding photoreceptors are promising platforms for developing optical tools, AM1_1186g2 cannot efficiently attach BV. Herein, by rationally introducing several replacements, we developed a BV-binding AM1_1186g2 variant, KCAP_QV, that exhibited reversible photoconversion between a Pfr form (far-red-absorbing dark state, λmax = 691 nm) and Pb form (λmax = 398 nm). This wavelength separation reached 293 nm, which is the largest among the known phytochrome and CBCR photoreceptors. In conclusion, the KCAP_QV molecule developed in this study can offer an alternative platform for the development of unique optical tools.
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