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Identification of Cyanobacteriochromes Detecting Far-Red Light
Nathan C Rockwell1, Shelley S Martin1, J Clark Lagarias1
1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California , Davis, California 95616, United States.
Biochemistry
|June 14, 2016
Summary
Researchers discovered novel cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs) that absorb far-red light, enabling new tools for deep-tissue imaging and actuation in living cells. These small, genetically encoded sensors open possibilities for far-red synthetic biology applications.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Molecular Biology
- Synthetic Biology
Background:
- Mammalian tissue opacity and water's infrared absorption necessitate far-red and near-infrared tools for live-cell visualization and actuation.
- Cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs), distantly related to plant phytochromes, are linear tetrapyrrole (bilin)-based light sensors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discover and characterize novel CBCRs that absorb light in the far-red spectrum.
- To explore the potential of these CBCRs for applications in live-cell imaging and synthetic biology.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analysis of CBCRs.
- Characterization of far-red/orange and far-red/red photoswitching CBCRs.
- Incorporation of different bilin chromophores to study absorption tuning mechanisms.
- Investigation of fluorescence properties, including near-infrared emission.
Main Results:
- Discovery of small (<200 amino acids) CBCRs responsive to far-red light (λmax = 725-755 nm).
- Identification of far-red/orange (λmax = 590-600 nm) and far-red/red (λmax = 615-685 nm) photoswitches.
- Demonstration that absorption tuning involves bilin chromophore A-, B-, and/or C-rings, with photoisomerization at the D-ring.
- Observation of detectable fluorescence extending into the near-infrared region in two CBCR variants.
Conclusions:
- Far-red/orange CBCRs evolved from green/red CBCRs involved in complementary chromatic acclimation.
- The spectral range of CBCRs has been extended to the near-infrared edge.
- These findings enable the development of new far-red tools for synthetic biology and live-cell applications.
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