The road to optogenetics: Microbial rhodopsins
- Authors: Govorunova E.G.1,2, Koppel L.A.1
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Affiliations:
- Lomonosov Moscow State University
- University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
- Issue: Vol 81, No 9 (2016)
- Pages: 928-940
- Section: Review
- URL: https://journals.rcsi.science/0006-2979/article/view/150995
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0006297916090029
- ID: 150995
Cite item
Abstract
Optogenetics technology (using light-sensitive microbial proteins to control animal cell physiology) is becoming increasingly popular in laboratories around the world. Among these proteins, particularly important are rhodopsins that transport ions across the membrane and are used in optogenetics to regulate membrane potential by light, mostly in neurons. Although rhodopsin ion pumps transport only one charge per captured photon, channelrhodopsins are capable of more efficient passive transport. In this review, we follow the history of channelrhodopsin discovery in flagellate algae and discuss the latest addition to the channelrhodopsin family, channels with anion, rather than cation, selectivity.
Keywords
About the authors
E. G. Govorunova
Lomonosov Moscow State University; University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Email: egovoru@yahoo.com
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119991; Houston, Texas, 77030
L. A. Koppel
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Author for correspondence.
Email: egovoru@yahoo.com
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119991