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Electromechanical Assessment of Optogenetically Modulated Cardiomyocyte Activity
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Ion-pumping microbial rhodopsins.

Hideki Kandori1

  • 1Department of Frontier Materials and OptoBioTechnology Research Center, Nagoya Institute of Technology Nagoya, Japan.

Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences
|October 7, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Microbial rhodopsins are versatile light-sensing proteins crucial for optogenetics. This review covers various ion-pumping microbial rhodopsins, including bacteriorhodopsin and proteorhodopsin, and their mechanisms.

Keywords:
H+ transferhydrogen bondlight-driven pumpphotocyclephotoisomerizatoinretinalstructural change

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A Rhodopsin Transport Assay by High-Content Imaging Analysis
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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Optogenetics

Background:

  • Rhodopsins are light-sensing proteins with diverse functions.
  • Microbial rhodopsins, containing retinal, are key tools in optogenetics.
  • Classical rhodopsins are in the eye; modern rhodopsins are microbial photoactive proteins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in understanding ion-pumping microbial rhodopsins.
  • To highlight the classification and mechanisms of various microbial rhodopsins.
  • To provide an overview of light-driven pumps and channels used in optogenetics.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on microbial rhodopsins.
  • Analysis of rhodopsin structure and function, including transmembrane helices and retinal isomerization.
  • Classification of rhodopsins based on ion transport (e.g., H+, Cl-, Na+).

Main Results:

  • Identified various microbial rhodopsins like bacteriorhodopsin (BR), halorhodopsin (HR), proteorhodopsin (PR), Fulvimarina pelagi rhodopsin (FR), and Krokinobacter eikastus rhodopsin 2 (KR2).
  • Detailed the distinct ion-pumping mechanisms (H+, Cl-, Na+) and classifications (DTD, TSA, DTE, NTQ, NDQ).
  • Highlighted the extensive study of archaeal rhodopsins (BR, HR) versus newer findings in marine bacteria.

Conclusions:

  • Ion-transporting microbial rhodopsins are essential for optogenetics.
  • Continued research is expanding the diversity and application of these light-driven proteins.
  • Understanding rhodopsin mechanisms is crucial for advancing molecular biology and biotechnology.