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Structural basis for the prolonged photocycle of sensory rhodopsin II revealed by serial synchrotron crystallography

Author

Listed:
  • Robert Bosman

    (University of Gothenburg)

  • Giorgia Ortolani

    (University of Gothenburg)

  • Swagatha Ghosh

    (University of Gothenburg)

  • Daniel James

    (Forschungsstrasse 111)

  • Per Norder

    (University of Gothenburg)

  • Greger Hammarin

    (University of Gothenburg)

  • Tinna Björg Úlfarsdóttir

    (University of Gothenburg)

  • Lucija Ostojić

    (University of Gothenburg)

  • Tobias Weinert

    (Forschungsstrasse 111)

  • Florian Dworkowski

    (Forschungsstrasse 111)

  • Takashi Tomizaki

    (Forschungsstrasse 111)

  • Jörg Standfuss

    (Forschungsstrasse 111)

  • Gisela Brändén

    (University of Gothenburg)

  • Richard Neutze

    (University of Gothenburg)

Abstract

Microbial rhodopsins form a diverse family of light-sensitive seven-transmembrane helix retinal proteins that function as active proton or ion pumps, passive light-gated ion channels, and photosensors. To understand how light-sensing in archaea is initiated by sensory rhodopsins, we perform serial synchrotron X-ray crystallography (SSX) studies of light induced conformational changes in sensory rhodopsin II (NpSRII) from the archaea Natronomonas pharaonis, both collecting time-resolved SSX data and collecting SSX data during continuous illumination. Comparing light-induced electron density changes in NpSRII with those reported for bacteriorhodopsin (bR) reveals several common light-induced structural perturbations. Unlike bR, however, helix G of NpSRII does not unwind near the conserved lysine residue to which retinal is covalently bound and therefore transient water molecule binding sites do not arise immediately to the cytoplasmic side of retinal. These structural differences prolong the duration of the NpSRII photocycle relative to bR, allowing time for the light-initiated sensory signal to be amplified.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Bosman & Giorgia Ortolani & Swagatha Ghosh & Daniel James & Per Norder & Greger Hammarin & Tinna Björg Úlfarsdóttir & Lucija Ostojić & Tobias Weinert & Florian Dworkowski & Takashi Tomizaki & J, 2025. "Structural basis for the prolonged photocycle of sensory rhodopsin II revealed by serial synchrotron crystallography," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-58263-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58263-x
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