The multitalented microbial sensory rhodopsins.

John L Spudich

doi:10.1016/j.tim.2006.09.005

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The multitalented microbial sensory rhodopsins.

John L Spudich

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Abstract

Sensory rhodopsins are photoactive, membrane-embedded seven-transmembrane helix receptors that use retinal as a chromophore. They are widespread in the microbial world in each of the three domains of life: Archaea, Bacteria and Eukarya. A striking characteristic of these photoreceptors is their different modes of signaling in different organisms, including interaction with other membrane proteins, interaction with cytoplasmic transducers and light-controlled Ca(2+) channel activity. More than two decades since the discovery of the first sensory rhodopsins in the archaeon Halobacterium salinarum, genome projects have revealed a widespread presence of homologous photosensors. New work on cyanobacteria, algae, fungi and marine proteobacteria is revealing how evolution has modified the common design of these proteins to produce a remarkably rich diversity in their signaling biochemistry.

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Models, Biological Models, Molecular Protein Conformation Rhodopsins, Microbial Sensory Rhodopsins Signal Transduction Journal Article Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.Review

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John L Spudich. 2006-09-26. The multitalented microbial sensory rhodopsins.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2006.09.005

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