Proteorhodopsin phototrophy in the ocean

Oded Béjà, Elena N. Spudich, John L. Spudich, Marion Leclerc and Edward F. DeLong ()
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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

Nature, 2001, vol. 411, issue 6839, 786-789

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2001
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DOI: 10.1038/35081051

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