Natural light-gated anion channels: A family of microbial rhodopsins for advanced optogenetics

Light-gated rhodopsin cation channels from chlorophyte algae have transformed neuroscience research through their use as membrane-depolarizing optogenetic tools for targeted photoactivation of neuron firing. Photosuppression of neuronal action potentials has been limited by the lack of equally efficient tools for membrane hyperpolarization. We describe anion channel rhodopsins (ACRs), a family of light-gated anion channels from cryptophyte algae that provide highly sensitive and efficient membrane hyperpolarization and neuronal silencing through light-gated chloride conduction. ACRs strictly conducted anions, completely excluding protons and larger cations, and hyperpolarized the membrane of cultured animal…

• WF
  Welch Foundation
• HE
  Hermann Eye Fund
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: S10RR022531, R01GM027750, R21MH098288