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Heliorhodopsin Evolution Is Driven by Photosensory Promiscuity in Monoderms.

Paul-Adrian Bulzu1, Vinicius Silva Kavagutti1,2, Maria-Cecilia Chiriac1

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Heliorhodopsins (HeRs) are novel light-sensing proteins with an inverted membrane structure. This study reveals HeRs function as sensory rhodopsins in monoderms, regulating stress responses and metabolism.

Keywords:
heliorhodopsinmetagenomicsoxidative stressrhodopsins

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Rhodopsins are versatile light-activated proteins found across life.
  • Heliorhodopsins (HeRs) exhibit a unique inverted membrane topology compared to other rhodopsins.
  • The cellular and ecological roles of HeRs remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function and distribution of heliorhodopsins (HeRs).
  • To resolve the taxonomic occurrence patterns of HeRs.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms and cellular roles of HeRs.

Main Methods:

  • Genomic and metagenomic data analysis.
  • Protein domain fusion analysis.
  • Gene coexpression and strand-specific metatranscriptomics.

Main Results:

  • Heliorhodopsins are restricted to monoderm organisms.
  • HeRs function as sensory rhodopsins linked to two-component systems (histidine kinases).
  • Two novel signal-transducing domains fused to HeRs were identified.

Conclusions:

  • Heliorhodopsins act as light-dependent switches regulating oxidative stress and metabolism in monoderms.
  • HeR function is likely tied to monoderms' sensitivity to light-induced damage.
  • HeRs represent a novel class of sensory proteins with significant ecological implications.