Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

The first event of differentiation and morphogenesis in the optic vesicle (OV) is specification of the neural retina (NR) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), separating the inner and outer layers of the optic cup, respectively. Here, we focus on a basic helix-loop-helix gene, BHLHE40, which has been shown to be expressed by the developing RPE in mice and zebrafish. Firstly, we examined the expression pattern of BHLHE40 in the developing chicken eye primordia by in situ hybridization. Secondly, BHLHE40 overexpression was performed with in ovo electroporation and its effects on optic cup morphology and expression of NR and RPE marker genes were examined. Thirdly, we examined the expression pattern of BHLHE40 in LHX1-overexpressed optic cup. BHLHE40 expression emerged in a subset of cells of the OV at Hamburger and Hamilton stage 14 and became confined to the outer layer of the OV and the ciliary marginal zone of the retina by stage 17. BHLHE40 overexpression in the prospective NR resulted in ectopic induction of OTX2 and repression of VSX2. Conversely, BHLHE40 was repressed in the second NR after LHX1 overexpression. These results suggest that emergence of BHLHE40 expression in the OV is involved in initial RPE specification and that BHLHE40 plays a role in separation of the early OV domains by maintaining OTX2 expression and antagonizing an NR developmental program.

DOI： 10.3390/jdb10040045

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Opsins are G protein-coupled receptors specialized for photoreception in animals. Opn5 is categorized in an independent opsin group and functions for various non-visual photoreceptions. Among vertebrate Opn5 subgroups (Opn5m, Opn5L1 and Opn5L2), Opn5m and Opn5L2 bind 11-cis retinal to form a UV-sensitive resting state, which is inter-convertible with the all-trans retinal bound active state by photoreception. Thus, these opsins are characterized as bistable opsins. To assess the molecular basis of the UV-sensitive bistable property, we introduced comprehensive mutations at Thr188, which is well conserved among these opsins. The mutations in Opn5m drastically hampered 11-cis retinal incorporation and the bistable photoreaction. Moreover, T188C mutant Opn5m exclusively bound all-trans retinal and thermally self-regenerated to the original form after photoreception, which is similar to the photocyclic property of Opn5L1 bearing Cys188. Therefore, the residue at position 188 underlies the UV-sensitive bistable property of Opn5m and contributes to the diversification of vertebrate Opn5 subgroups.

DOI： 10.1038/s42003-022-03010-x

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Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Wiley  

The photoreceptor protein, opsin, is one of the major components for vision and photoreceptive function in animals. Although many opsins have been discovered from animal genomes, only a few non-image-forming functions mediated by opsins have been identified. Understanding the mRNA distribution of photoreceptor proteins is one crucial step in uncovering their photoreceptive function in animals. Here we focus on the medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) Opsin 3 (Opn3)/Teleost multiple opsin (Tmt) system, which constitutes a separate phylogenetic group, having putative blue light photoreceptors for non-image-forming functions. In medaka, there is one opn3 and five tmt-opsin orthologs. The expression pattern of the opn3/tmt-opsins in the retina and brain was investigated by in situ hybridization. mRNAs for opn3/tmt-opsins were distributed in the retinal ganglion cells as well as interneurons and specific brain nuclei. Specifically, hybridization signals were observed in the glutamate decarboxylase 1 (gad1)-expressing amacrine cells for opn3, tmt1a, tmt1b, and tmt2, in the caudal lobe of the cerebellum for tmt1b and tmt2, in the cranial nerve nuclei for opn3, tmt1a, tmt1b, tmt2, and in the rostral pars distalis (adenohypophysis) for opn3. These expression patterns suggest that blue light sensing in the fish retina and brain may be involved in the integration of visual inputs, vestibular function, somatosensation, motor outputs, and pituitary endocrine regulation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

DOI： 10.1002/cne.25106

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish and analyze a cell model of Leber congenital amaurosis type 16 (LCA16), which is caused by mutations in the KCNJ13 gene encoding Kir7.1, an inward-rectifying potassium ion channel. Methods: The two guide RNAs specific to the target sites in the KCNJ13 gene were designed and KCNJ13 knock-out (KO) human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) were generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The KCNJ13-KO hiPSCs were differentiated into retinal pigment epithelial cells (hiPSC-RPEs). The KCNJ13-KO in hiPSC-RPEs was confirmed by immunostaining. Phagocytic activity of hiPSC-RPEs was assessed using the uptake of fluorescently labeled porcine photoreceptor outer segments (POSs). Phagocytosis-related genes in RPE cells were assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: Most of the translated region of the KCNJ13 gene was deleted in the KCNJ13-KO hiPSCs by the CRISPR/Cas9 system, and this confirmed that the Kir7.1 protein was not present in RPE cells induced from the hiPSCs. Expression of RPE marker genes such as BEST1 and CRALBP was retained in the wild-type (WT) and in the KCNJ13-KO hiPSC-RPE cells. However, phagocytic activity and expression of phagocytosis-related genes in the KCNJ13-null hiPSC-RPE cells were significantly reduced compared to those of WT. Conclusions: We succeeded in generating an RPE model of LCA16 using hiPSCs. We suggest that Kir7.1 is required for phagocytosis of POSs by RPE cells and that impaired phagocytosis in the absence of Kir7.1 would be involved in the retinal degeneration found in LCA16.

DOI： 10.1167/iovs.61.5.38

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REIC (reduced expression in immortalized cells) has been identified as a gene whose expression was reduced in immortalized cultured cells. The REIC gene is identical to Dickkopf-3 (Dkk3), which encodes a secreted glycoprotein belonging to the Dkk family. Previously, we showed that Dkk3 protein is present in the mouse adrenal medulla. However, its role in this tissue has not been elucidated. To explore it, we performed electron microscopic (EM) studies and RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis on Dkk3-null adrenal glands. EM studies showed that the number of dense core secretory vesicles were significantly reduced and empty vesicles were increased in the medulla endocrine cells. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis showed relative expression levels of chromogranin A (Chga) and neuropeptide Y (Npy) were slightly but significantly reduced in the Dkk3-null adrenal glands. From the result of RNA-seq analysis as a parallel study, we selected three of the downregulated genes, uncoupled protein-1 (Ucp1), growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible 45 gamma (Gadd45g), and Junb with regard to the estimated expression levels. In situ hybridization confirmed that these genes were regionally expressed in the adrenal gland. However, expression levels of these three genes were not consistent as revealed by qPCR. Thus, Dkk3 maintains the integrity of secreting vesicles in mouse adrenal medulla by regulating the expression of Chga and Npy.

DOI： 10.1007/s00441-019-03113-8

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CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing often generates founder generation (F0) mice that exhibit somatic mosaicism in the targeted gene(s). It has been known that Fibroblast growth factor 10 (Fgf10)-null mice exhibit limbless and lungless phenotypes, while intermediate limb phenotypes (variable defective limbs) are observed in the Fgf10-CRISPR F0 mice. However, how the lung phenotype in the Fgf10-mosaic mutants is related to the limb phenotype and genotype has not been investigated. In this study, we examined variable lung phenotypes in the Fgf10-targeted F0 mice to determine if the lung phenotype was correlated with percentage of functional Fgf10 genotypes. Firstly, according to a previous report, Fgf10-CRISPR F0 embryos on embryonic day 16.5 (E16.5) were classified into three types: type I, no limb; type II, limb defect; and type III, normal limbs. Cartilage and bone staining showed that limb truncations were observed in the girdle, (type I), stylopodial, or zeugopodial region (type II). Deep sequencing of the Fgf10-mutant genomes revealed that the mean proportion of codons that encode putative functional FGF10 was 8.3 ± 6.2% in type I, 25.3 ± 2.7% in type II, and 54.3 ± 9.5% in type III (mean ± standard error of the mean) mutants at E16.5. Histological studies showed that almost all lung lobes were absent in type I embryos. The accessory lung lobe was often absent in type II embryos with other lobes dysplastic. All lung lobes formed in type III embryos. The number of terminal tubules was significantly lower in type I and II embryos, but unchanged in type III embryos. To identify alveolar type 2 epithelial (AECII) cells, known to be reduced in the Fgf10-heterozygous mutant, immunostaining using anti-surfactant protein C (SPC) antibody was performed: In the E18.5 lungs, the number of AECII was correlated to the percentage of functional Fgf10 genotypes. These data suggest the Fgf10 gene dose-related loss of the accessory lobe and decrease in the number of alveolar type 2 epithelial cells in mouse lung. Since dysfunction of AECII cells has been implicated in the pathogenesis of parenchymal lung diseases, the Fgf10-CRISPR F0 mouse would present an ideal experimental system to explore it.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0240333

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Recent studies show that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light suppresses ocular elongation, which causes myopia development. However, the specific mechanisms of this process have not been elucidated. A UV-sensor, Opsin 5 (Opn5) mRNA was shown to be present in extraretinal tissues. To test the possibility that UV-signals mediated by Opn5 would have a direct effect on the outer connective tissues of the eye, we first examined the expression patterns of a mammalian type Opn5 (Opn5m) in the late-embryonic chicken eye. Quantitative PCR showed Opn5m mRNA expression in the cornea and sclera. The anti-Opn5m antibody stained a small subset of cells in the corneal stroma and fibrous sclera. We next assessed the effect of UV-A (375 nm) irradiation on the chicken fibroblast cell line DF-1 overexpressing chicken Opn5m. UV-A irradiation for 30 min significantly increased the expression of Early growth response 1 (Egr1), known as an immediate early responsive gene, and of Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (Mmp2) in the presence of retinal chromophore 11-cis-retinal. In contrast, expression of Transforming growth factor beta 2 and Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 was not significantly altered. These results indicate that UV-A absorption by Opn5m can upregulate the expression levels of Egr1 and Mmp2 in non-neuronal, fibroblasts. Taken together with the presence of Opn5m in the cornea and sclera, it is suggested that UV-A signaling mediated by Opn5 in the extraretinal ocular tissues could influence directly the outer connective tissues of the chicken late-embryonic eye.

DOI： 10.1016/j.bbrep.2019.100665

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Springer Science and Business Media {LLC}  

Recent progress in whole genome sequencing has revealed that animals have various kinds of opsin genes for photoreception. Among them, most opsin genes have introns in their coding regions. However, it has been known for a long time that teleost retinas express intron-less rhodopsin genes, which are presumed to have been formed by retroduplication from an ancestral intron-containing rhodopsin gene. In addition, teleosts have an intron-containing rhodopsin gene (exo-rhodopsin) exclusively for pineal photoreception. In this study, to unravel the evolutionary origin of the two teleost rhodopsin genes, we analyzed the rhodopsin genes of non-teleost fishes in the Actinopterygii. The phylogenetic analysis of full-length sequences of bichir, sturgeon and gar rhodopsins revealed that retroduplication of the rhodopsin gene occurred after branching of the bichir lineage. In addition, analysis of the tissue distribution and the molecular properties of bichir, sturgeon and gar rhodopsins showed that the abundant and exclusive expression of intron-containing rhodopsin in the pineal gland and the short lifetime of its meta II intermediate, which leads to optimization for pineal photoreception, were achieved after branching of the gar lineage. Based on these results, we propose a stepwise evolutionary model of teleost intron-containing and intron-less rhodopsin genes.

DOI： 10.1038/s41598-019-47028-4

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Springer Nature  

Most opsins are G protein-coupled receptors that utilize retinal both as a ligand and as a chromophore. Opsins' main established mechanism is light-triggered activation through retinal 11-cis-to-all-trans photoisomerization. Here we report a vertebrate non-visual opsin that functions as a Gi-coupled retinal receptor that is deactivated by light and can thermally self-regenerate. This opsin, Opn5L1, binds exclusively to all-trans-retinal. More interestingly, the light-induced deactivation through retinal trans-to-cis isomerization is followed by formation of a covalent adduct between retinal and a nearby cysteine, which breaks the retinal-conjugated double bond system, probably at the C11 position, resulting in thermal re-isomerization to all-trans-retinal. Thus, Opn5L1 acts as a reverse photoreceptor. We conclude that, like vertebrate rhodopsin, Opn5L1 is a unidirectional optical switch optimized from an ancestral bidirectional optical switch, such as invertebrate rhodopsin, to increase the S/N ratio of the signal transduction, although the direction of optimization is opposite to that of vertebrate rhodopsin.

DOI： 10.1038/s41467-018-03603-3

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Springer Nature  

Pinopsin is the opsin most closely related to vertebrate visual pigments on the phylogenetic tree. This opsin has been discovered among many vertebrates, except mammals and teleosts, and was thought to exclusively function in their brain for extraocular photoreception. Here, we show the possibility that pinopsin also contributes to scotopic vision in some vertebrate species. Pinopsin is distributed in the retina of non-teleost fishes and frogs, especially in their rod photoreceptor cells, in addition to their brain. Moreover, the retinal chromophore of pinopsin exhibits a thermal isomerization rate considerably lower than those of cone visual pigments, but comparable to that of rhodopsin. Therefore, pinopsin can function as a rhodopsin-like visual pigment in the retinas of these lower vertebrates. Since pinopsin diversified before the branching of rhodopsin on the phylogenetic tree, two-step adaptation to scotopic vision would have occurred through the independent acquisition of pinopsin and rhodopsin by the vertebrate lineage.

DOI： 10.1038/s42003-018-0164-x

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Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier {BV}  

DOI： 10.1016/j.mod.2017.04.427

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Springer Nature  

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) system is a rapid gene-targeting technology that does not require embryonic stem cells. To demonstrate dosage effects of the Pax6 gene on eye formation, we generated Pax6-deficient mice with the CRISPR/Cas system. Eyes of founder embryos at embryonic day (E) 16.5 were examined and categorized according to macroscopic phenotype as class 1 (small eye with distinct pigmentation), class 2 (pigmentation without eye globes), or class 3 (no pigmentation and no eyes). Histologically, class 1 eyes were abnormally small in size with lens still attached to the cornea at E16.5. Class 2 eyes had no lens and distorted convoluted retinas. Class 3 eyes had only rudimentary optic vesicle-like tissues or histological anophthalmia. Genotyping of neck tissue cells from the founder embryos revealed somatic mosaicism and allelic complexity for Pax6. Relationships between eye phenotype and genotype were developed. The present results demonstrated that development of the lens from the surface ectoderm requires a higher gene dose of Pax6 than development of the retina from the optic vesicle. We further anticipate that mice with somatic mosaicism in a targeted gene generated by CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing will give some insights for understanding the complexity in human congenital diseases that occur in mosaic form.

DOI： 10.1038/s41598-017-00088-w

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE  

Opsin family genes encode G protein-coupled seven-transmembrane proteins that bind a retinaldehyde chromophore in photoreception. Here, we sought potential as yet undescribed avian retinal photoreceptors, focusing on Opsin 3 homologs in the chicken. We found two Opsin 3-related genes in the chicken genome: one corresponding to encephalopsin/panopsin (Opn3) in mammals, and the other belonging to the teleost multiple tissue opsin (TMT) 2 group. Bioluminescence imaging and G protein activation assays demonstrated that the chicken TMT opsin (cTMT) functions as a blue light sensor when forced-expressed in mammalian cultured cells. We did not detect evidence of light sensitivity for the chicken Opn3 (cOpn3). In situ hybridization demonstrated expression of cTMT in subsets of differentiating cells in the inner retina and, as development progressed, predominant localization to retinal horizontal cells (HCs). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) revealed cTMT in HCs as well as in small numbers of cells in the ganglion and inner nuclear layers of the post-hatch chicken retina. In contrast, cOpn3-IR cells were found in distinct subsets of cells in the inner nuclear layer. cTMT-IR cells were also found in subsets of cells in the hypothalamus. Finally, we found differential distribution of cOpn3 and cTMT proteins in specific cells of the cerebellum. The present results suggest that a novel TMT-type opsin 3 may function as a photoreceptor in the chicken retina and brain.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0163925

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Public Library of Science ({PLoS})  

Opn5 is a group within the opsin family of proteins that is responsible for visual and non-visual photoreception in animals. It consists of several subgroups, including Opn5m, the only subgroup containing members found in most vertebrates, including mammals. In addition, recent genomic information has revealed that some ray-finned fishes carry paralogous genes of Opn5m while other fishes have no such genes. Here, we report the molecular properties of the opsin now called Opn5m2 and its distributions in both the retina and brain. Like Opn5m, Opn5m2 exhibits UV light-sensitivity when binding to 11-cis-retinal and forms a stable active state that couples with Gi subtype of G protein. However, Opn5m2 does not bind all-trans-retinal and exhibits exclusive binding to 11-cis-retinal, whereas many bistable opsins, including fish Opn5m, can bind directly to all-trans-retinal as well as 11-cis-retinal. Because medaka fish has lost the Opn5m2 gene from its genome, we compared the tissue distribution patterns of Opn5m in medaka fish, zebrafish, and spotted gar, in addition to the distribution patterns of Opn5m2 in zebrafish and spotted gar. Opn5m expression levels showed a gradient along the dorsal-ventral axis of the retina, and preferential expression was observed in the ventral retina in the three fishes. The levels of Opn5m2 showed a similar gradient with preferential expression observed in the dorsal retina. Opn5m expression was relatively abundant in the inner region of the inner nuclear layer, while Opn5m2 was expressed in the outer edge of the inner nuclear layer. Additionally, we could detect Opn5m expression in several brain regions, including the hypothalamus, of these fish species. Opn5m2 expression could not be detected in zebrafish brain, but was clearly observed in limited brain regions of spotted gar. These results suggest that ray-finned fishes can generally utilize UV light information for non-image-forming photoreception in a wide range of cells in the retina and brain.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0155339

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：American Chemical Society ({ACS})  

Rhodopsin is a G protein-coupled receptor specialized for photoreception and contains a light-absorbing chromophore retinal that binds to the lysine residue of opsin through a protonated Schiff base linkage. Light converts rhodopsin to an equilibrium mixture of the active state metarhodopsin II (Mu) and its precursor, metarhodopsin I (MI), which have deprotonated and protonated Schiff base chromophores, respectively. This equilibrium was thought to depend on the pK(a) of not the Schiff base chrornophore but glutamic acid E134 in the highly conserved E/DRY triad in helix Ill. We performed mutational analyses of E134 and nearby residues to examine whether the equilibrium is really dependent on the pK(a) of E134 and to obtain dues about the contribution of E134 to the G protein activation characteristics of rhodopsin. All the single mutants at position 134 except for E134D lost the characteristic pH-dependent equilibrium, indicating that the carboxyl group of E134 is responsible for the equilibrium. Interestingly, mutation at position 134 caused little change in the MI or MI spectra or G protein activation efficiency of MII, while it caused a shift of the MI-MII equilibrium. The mutants containing hydrophobic or amide-containing residues at position 134 formed an equilibrium in favor of MII, resulting in an increase in light-induced G protein activation efficiency. On the other hand, the wild type exhibited an opsin activity lower than those of the mutants, which exhibited reasonable light-dependent activities. These results strongly suggest that the evolutionary significance of E134 is not an increase in G protein activity but rather suppression of the opsin activity.

DOI： 10.1021/bi5003772

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：American Chemical Society ({ACS})  

Visual pigments in rod and cone photoreceptor cells of vertebrate retinas are highly diversified photoreceptive proteins that consist of a protein moiety opsin and a light-absorbing chromophore 11-cis-retinal. There are four types of cone visual pigments and a single type of rod visual pigment. The reaction process of the rod visual pigment, rhodopsin, has been extensively investigated, whereas there have been few studies of cone visual pigments. Here we comprehensively investigated the reaction processes of cone visual pigments on a time scale of milliseconds to minutes, using flash photolysis equipment optimized for cone visual pigment photochemistry. We used chicken violet (L-group), chicken blue (M1-group), chicken green (M2-group), and monkey green (L-group) visual pigments as representatives of the respective groups of the phylogenetic tree of cone pigments. The S, M1, and M2 pigments showed the formation of a pH-dependent mixture of meta intermediates, similar to that formed from rhodopsin. Although monkey green (L-group) also formed a mixture of meta intermediates, pH dependency of meta intermediates was not observed. However, meta intermediates of monkey green became pH dependent when the chloride ion bound to the monkey green was replaced with a nitrate ion. These results strongly suggest that rhodopsin and S, M1, and M2 cone visual pigments share a molecular mechanism for activation, whereas the L-group pigment may have a special reaction mechanism involving the chloride-binding site.

DOI： 10.1021/bi3000885

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：American Chemical Society ({ACS})  

Cone visual pigments responsible for color vision are classified into four groups; among these, the L(LWS) group contains the visual pigments having the most red-shifted lambda(max) and a chloride-binding site in their protein moiety. Binding of chloride results in the socalled "chloride effect", e.g., the red shift of lambda(max) and the faster decay of meta-I. These properties disappear upon replacement of chloride with nitrate. Because the amino acid residue primary responsible for the chloride effect is H197, we have replaced this residue with 19 other amino acids to gain insights into the mechanism creating these properties. Of the 19 single-site mutants, 13 were successfully expressed and bound 11-cis-retinal to form pigments. Eleven of the 13 mutants exhibited a red shift of lambda(max) upon chloride binding, and histidine produced the most red-shifted lambda(max). We classified H197 mutants into three groups according to their properties. The first group of mutants exhibited a chloride effect similar to that of the wild type, while the second group of mutants showed no chloride effect. The third group of mutants exhibited a small shift in lambda(max) and enhanced decay rates of meta-I upon chloride binding. Furthermore, some of the mutants in this group showed meta-I decay faster than that of the wild type and extraordinarily fast decays of meta-I even in the absence of chloride. Interestingly, amino acid residues in the third group of mutants are characterized by their propensity to form beta-sheets. These results suggest that the acquisition of H197 would be due to the most red-shifted absorption maximum, resulting in fast formation of the active state.

DOI： 10.1021/bi300995s

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：American Chemical Society ({ACS})  

VA/VAL opsin is one of the four kinds of nonvisual opsins that are closely related to vertebrate visual pigments in the phylogenetic tree of opsins. Previous studies indicated that among these opsins, parapinopsin and pinopsin exhibit molecular properties similar to those of invertebrate bistable visual pigments and vertebrate visual pigments, respectively. Here we show that VA/VAL opsin exhibits molecular properties intermediate between those of parapinopsin and pinopsin. VAL opsin from Xenopus tropicalis was expressed in cultured cells, and the pigment with an absorption maximum at 501 nm was reconstituted by incubation with 11-cis-retinal. Light irradiation of this pigment caused cis-to-trans isomerization of the chromophore to form a state having an absorption maximum in the visible region. This state has the ability to activate Gi and Gt types of G proteins. Therefore, the active state of VAL opsin is a visible light-absorbing intermediate, which probably has a protonated retinylidene Schiff base as its chromophore, like the active state of parapinopsin. However, this state was apparently photoinsensitive and did not show reverse reaction to the original pigment, unlike the active state of parapinopsin, and instead similar to that of pinopsin. Furthermore, the Gi activation efficiency of VAL opsin was between those of pinopsin and parapinopsin. Thus, the molecular properties of VA/VAL opsin give insights into the mechanism of conversion of the molecular properties from invertebrate to vertebrate visual pigments.

DOI： 10.1021/bi201212z

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：American Chemical Society ({ACS})  

Bovine rhodopsin contains 11-cis-retinal as a light-absorbing chromophore that binds to a lysine residue of the apoprotein opsin via a protonated Schiff base linkage. Light isomerizes 11-cis-retinal into the all-trans form, which eventually leads to the formation of an enzymatically active state, metarhodopsin II (MII). It is widely believed that MII forms a pH-dependent equilibrium with metarhodopsin I (MI), but direct evidence for this equilibrium has not been reported. Here, we confirmed this equilibrium by direct observation of the mutual conversions of MI and MII upon changing the pH of the MI/MII mixture. We also observed a reversible binding of the synthetic peptide constituting the C-terminal 11 amino acids of the transducin alpha-subunit to MII, which resulted in change of the amounts of MI and MII in the equilibrium. Interestingly, addition of the peptide did not induce a simple pK(a) shift but rather induced an increase of the MII fraction at high pH. These results indicate that in addition to the MII that is formed from MI in a pH-dependent manner there also exists another MII, which is in equilibrium with MI in a pH-independent manner and can bind to the peptide. Therefore, there is no need for proton uptake by the protein moiety of opsin for the binding to the peptide.

DOI： 10.1021/bi9018412

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