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Proteorhodopsin phototrophy in the ocean

Author

Listed:
  • Oded Béjà

    (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute)

  • Elena N. Spudich

    (The University of Texas Medical School)

  • John L. Spudich

    (The University of Texas Medical School)

  • Marion Leclerc

    (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute)

  • Edward F. DeLong

    (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute)

Abstract

Proteorhodopsin1, a retinal-containing integral membrane protein that functions as a light-driven proton pump, was discovered in the genome of an uncultivated marine bacterium; however, the prevalence, expression and genetic variability of this protein in native marine microbial populations remain unknown. Here we report that photoactive proteorhodopsin is present in oceanic surface waters. We also provide evidence of an extensive family of globally distributed proteorhodopsin variants. The protein pigments comprising this rhodopsin family seem to be spectrally tuned to different habitats—absorbing light at different wavelengths in accordance with light available in the environment. Together, our data suggest that proteorhodopsin-based phototrophy is a globally significant oceanic microbial process.

Suggested Citation

  • Oded Béjà & Elena N. Spudich & John L. Spudich & Marion Leclerc & Edward F. DeLong, 2001. "Proteorhodopsin phototrophy in the ocean," Nature, Nature, vol. 411(6839), pages 786-789, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:411:y:2001:i:6839:d:10.1038_35081051
    DOI: 10.1038/35081051
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    Cited by:

    1. Stephan Hirschi & Thomas Lemmin & Nooraldeen Ayoub & David Kalbermatter & Daniele Pellegata & Zöhre Ucurum & Jürg Gertsch & Dimitrios Fotiadis, 2024. "Structural insights into the mechanism and dynamics of proteorhodopsin biogenesis and retinal scavenging," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Senjie Lin, 2023. "Phosphate limitation and ocean acidification co-shape phytoplankton physiology and community structure," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-5, December.
    3. Gaoxiang Mei & Natalia Mamaeva & Srividya Ganapathy & Peng Wang & Willem J DeGrip & Kenneth J Rothschild, 2018. "Raman spectroscopy of a near infrared absorbing proteorhodopsin: Similarities to the bacteriorhodopsin O photointermediate," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(12), pages 1-24, December.

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