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The archaeal sensory rhodopsin II/transducer complex: a model for transmembrane signal transfer
Author(s) -
Klare Johann P,
Gordeliy Valentin I,
Labahn Jörg,
Büldt Georg,
Steinhoff Heinz-Jürgen,
Engelhard Martin
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(04)00193-0
Subject(s) - rhodopsin , phototaxis , chemotaxis , transmembrane protein , biology , biophysics , transmembrane domain , sensory system , g protein coupled receptor , receptor , signal transduction , microbiology and biotechnology , neuroscience , biochemistry , genetics , retinal
Archaebacterial photoreceptors mediate phototaxis by regulating cell motility through two‐component signalling cascades. Homologs of this sensory pathway occur in all three kingdoms of life, most notably in enteric bacteria in which the chemotaxis has been extensively studied. Recent structural and functional studies on the sensory rhodopsin II/transducer complex mediating the photophobic response of Natronomonas pharaonis have yielded new insights into the mechanisms of signal transfer across the membrane. Electron paramagnetic resonance data and the atomic resolution structure of the receptor molecule in complex with the transmembrane segment of its cognate transducer provided a model for signal transfer from the receptor to the cytoplasmic side of the transducer. This mechanism might also be relevant for eubacterial chemoreceptor signalling.