Channelrhodopsin-1: A Light-Gated Proton Channel in Green Algae (original) (raw)
ADS
;
- Ollig, Doris ;
- Fuhrmann, Markus ;
- Kateriya, Suneel ;
- Musti, Anna Maria ;
- Bamberg, Ernst ;
- Hegemann, Peter
Abstract
Phototaxis and photophobic responses of green algae are mediated by rhodopsins with microbial-type chromophores. We report a complementary DNA sequence in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii that encodes a microbial opsin-related protein, which we term Channelopsin-1. The hydrophobic core region of the protein shows homology to the light-activated proton pump bacteriorhodopsin. Expression of Channelopsin-1, or only the hydrophobic core, in Xenopus laevis oocytes in the presence of all-trans retinal produces a light-gated conductance that shows characteristics of a channel selectively permeable for protons. We suggest that Channelrhodopsins are involved in phototaxis of green algae.
Publication:
Science
Pub Date:
June 2002
DOI:
Bibcode:
Keywords:
- BIOCHEM