Biology subjects

Katayama, K.

Publications and source records attributed to Katayama, K..

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Conformational plasticity of the human norovirus GII.3 capsid reveals alternative P domain interaction networks

Human noroviruses (HuNoVs) are a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide, yet no effective antiviral therapeutics are currently available. Although environmentally induced capsid conformational changes associated with infectivity have been reported in murine noroviruses (MNVs), comparable conformational switching has not been demonstrated in HuNoVs. In this study, we generated HuNoV GII.3 virus-like particles (VLPs) using a baculovirus expression system and identified two distinct T = 3 particle populations coexisting within VLP preparations derived from a single strain through cryo-electron microscopy single-particle analysis. Comparative structural analysis revealed that these two T = 3 capsid conformations correspond to the resting and rising states of the protruding (P) domain. Rearrangement of the P domain alters intermolecular interactions between adjacent capsid subunits, resulting in distinct capsid surface architectures. In the resting state, intermolecular contacts were mediated predominantly by the P2 subdomain, with limited contribution from the P1 subdomain. In contrast, the rising state exhibited a shift toward an alternative interaction interface primarily involving the P1 subdomain. These findings demonstrate previously unrecognized structural polymorphism in the HuNoV capsid and provide evidence that conformational switching may occur in HuNoVs. Our results offer new insights into norovirus capsid dynamics and may inform future structure-based vaccine and antiviral drug development.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2026

Near-atomic structures of human astrovirus capsids reveal a subunit-specific maturation mechanism

Human astrovirus (HAstV) is a major cause of acute gastroenteritis, yet the structural basis of capsid maturation and infectivity remains poorly understood. Here, we report near-atomic cryo-electron microscopy structures of HAstV serotype 4 in immature and mature states at 1.79 [A] and 1.73 [A] resolution, respectively. These structures reveal a subunit-specific maturation mechanism in which differential protease accessibility drives selective removal of spike (P2) domains. Structural comparisons show that only A-B dimers form a broad cavity beneath the P2 domains that is permissive for trypsin entry, whereas the corresponding region in C-C dimers is sterically restricted. Proteolytic maturation induces pronounced conformational rearrangements, particularly in subunit B, linking capsid geometry to asymmetric protease susceptibility. Despite these changes, the inner capsid architecture and presumptive RNA-associated densities remain conserved, indicating that genome release occurs at a later stage of infection. Together, our findings establish a mechanistic framework in which capsid geometry governs proteolysis-driven activation.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2026

Self-regenerating opsin from reef-building coral

Opsins underlie diverse physiological responses to light in animals. In the dark, most opsins bind the chromophore 11-cis retinal, which isomerizes to all-trans form upon light absorption, representing the initial key step in signaling. Maintenance of opsin function therefore requires continuous regeneration of the inactive, 11-cis-retinal-bound state. Here, we report a novel type of opsin, AtAntho2c, from a reef-building coral, whose active form, bound to all-trans retinal, can thermally revert to the initial dark state bound to 11-cis retinal. A cysteine residue in extracellular loop 2 region plays a key role in the self-regeneration ability. Using time-resolved and low-temperature spectroscopies, we identify two spectrally distinct photointermediates prior to the all-trans to 11-cis isomerization in AtAntho2c, whose formation rates and yields are found to vary depending on temperature and pH conditions. The active form of AtAntho2c activates Gi/o G protein, resulting in a transient and repeatable decrease in cellular cAMP levels upon repeated light stimulations, even in the absence of exogenous retinal in cultured cells. Furthermore, we confirm that cells expressing AtAntho2c exhibit membrane hyperpolarization via GIRK channel activation light-dependently. These properties highlight the potential of AtAntho2c as a versatile optogenetic actuator capable of repeatedly modulate Gi/o signaling without retinal supplementation. Significance StatementLight-sensitive proteins, opsins, form active states upon light absorption, leading to intracellular G protein signaling and various cellular outputs. The active states require specific enzymatic machinery or another photon absorption to regenerate inactive opsins ready to respond to repeated light stimuli and maintain continuous responsiveness. In our study, we identify and analyze a coral opsin of which the active state rapidly and autonomously reverts to the inactive state in the dark through thermal isomerization of the retinal chromophore within the opsin. This regeneration mechanism allows the opsin to respond to repeated light stimuli at high temporal resolution and maintain large signal amplitude without the need for exogenous retinal making this opsin potentially useful for developing versatile optogenetic tools.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2026

Disruption of the NTCP-EGFR receptor complex as a strategy for selective inhibition of hepatitis B and D virus entry

Hepatitis B and D virus (HBV, HDV) enter hepatocytes through a coordinated process mediated by a receptor complex consisting of sodium taurocholate co transporting polypeptide (NTCP) and its entry cofactors, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Here, we established an in vitro assay to evaluate the NTCP-EGFR interaction and identified Oxy229, an oxysterol-based compound that disrupted this molecular interaction. Oxy229 selectively inhibited HBV and HDV infection to HepG2-NTCP cells and primary human hepatocytes. Mechanistic analysis revealed that Oxy229 impaired the relocalization of the HBV-NTCP complex from plasma membrane to intracellular vesicles. Notably, Oxy229 did not compromise the physiological functions of NTCP and EGFR, i.e., bile acid transport and activation of downstream EGFR signaling pathways including Ras-MAPK and PI3K-Akt pathways, indicating selective inhibition of viral entry. Compound derivative analysis identified Oxy283, which acquired dual inhibitory activity against both NTCP-EGFR interaction and NTCP multimerization, resulting in enhanced anti-HBV potency. These findings establish the functional significance of the NTCP-receptor complex formation in HBV/HDV entry and highlight this machinery as a potential target for antiviral intervention.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2026

Comprehensive hallmark gene sequence, genomic and structural analysis of Picornavirales viruses clarifies new and existing taxa

The order Picornavirales is a group of highly diverse RNA viruses that includes many pathogens of significance to human and veterinary health, agriculture and the wider environment. However, the wide range of viruses assigned to the order, together with their genomic variability, and the recent description of numerous "picorna-like" viruses derived from metagenomic analyses of environmental samples, challenges the existing taxonomic classification of members of the order and the criteria for their classification. Here, we combine the existing gold standard, hallmark RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp) gene sequence-based analysis with helicase sequence-based phylogeny, RdRp structural prediction through the use of ColabFold and Fold Tree, and analysis of coding complete genomes using GRAViTy-V2, to genetically classify 525 Picornavirales genomes and recently described "picorna-like" viruses. All analyses were conducted with a bespoke, fully automated pipeline for retrieval of genomes, domain classification and extraction, phylogenetic analysis, and output conditioning, which is available as open-source software. Our results reveal broad support for existing families as well as for six novel families, and 32 new genera. In instances where inconsistencies were found between classification methods, we demonstrate how examination of the pipelines output may be used to reconcile differences with respect to the genomic features quantified by the analysis. Automated multimodal taxonomic analysis may save significant resources over manual methods and better define demarcation criteria for families and genera.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Structural basis for color tuning and passive ion conductance in red-shifted pump-fold channelrhodopsin ChR024

ChR024 is a cation-conducting channelrhodopsin with a red-shifted absorption spectrum, recently discovered from a previously unidentified clade through machine-learning-guided gene mining. Due to its unique position in the phylogenetic tree and distinctive spectral properties, it serves as an important model for elucidating rhodopsin evolution and for engineering optogenetic tools with enhanced performance, but its structure and function remain poorly understood. Here, we present cryo-electron microscopy structures of ChR024 in detergent micelles and lipid nanodiscs at resolutions of 3.22 and 2.45 [A], respectively. The structures reveal an architecture strikingly similar to that of ion-pumping rhodopsins, even more so than other pump-like channelrhodopsins such as ChRmine. Structural, theoretical, and spectroscopic analyses uncover a unique color-tuning mechanism, in which charged residues close and distant from the retinal chromophore cooperatively modulate the pKa of the Schiff base counterion and thereby determine the absorption maximum wavelength. Finally, comparative structural analysis of channel- and pump-type rhodopsins, combined with electrophysiology, provides insights into the molecular boundary between these two functional classes and demonstrates the conversion of an outward proton pump into a light-gated channel. Together, these findings illuminate diverse mechanisms of color tuning and functional specification within the rhodopsin family, paving the way for the rational engineering of next-generation optogenetic tools.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2025

Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) adjust inter-individual distance based on aggressiveness rather than rank differences

Group-living animals form societies structured around linear dominance hierarchies. However, social relationships within groups range from relaxed to tense, with some subordinates staying proximity of dominants, while others fleeing at their mere sight. Despite this variation, the effects of personality in shaping these relationships remains unclear. In this study, we investigated whether subordinates adjust their flight initiation distance (FID) according to the dominants aggressiveness. We collected video recordings of supplanting behaviours between non-kin dyads in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata). For each dyad, we evaluated these supplantings whether the subordinates FID was greater or less than two meters. To assess aggressiveness, we conducted 20-min focal observations of 18 females, recording of threats and aggressions. We calculated repeatability of aggressiveness as a measure of dominants personality. Rank differences were determined based on supplantings and aggressive interactions. As a result, aggressiveness showed high repeatability, independent of rank and sex. Subordinates were more likely to flee at greater distances (FID > 60 cm) when paired with more aggressive dominants. Rank difference did not significantly influence FID. Whether the dyads exhibiting FIDs were regular grooming partners did not significantly predict their FID. Our findings suggest that Japanese macaques adjust inter-individual distance not based on rank differences but in response to aggressiveness. These results highlight the importance of incorporating personalities into studies of primate social relationships.

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2024

Light-harvesting by antenna-containing rhodopsins in pelagic Asgard archaea

Aquatic bacterial rhodopsin proton pumps have been recently reported to utilize hydroxylated carotenoids1,2. Here, by combining a marine chromophore extract with purified archaeal rhodopsins identified in marine metagenomes, we report on light energy transfer from diverse hydroxylated carotenoids (lutein, diatoxanthin, and fucoxanthin) to heimdallarchaeial rhodopsins (HeimdallRs)3,4 from uncultured marine planktonic members of the "Ca. Kariarchaeaceae" ("Ca. Asgardarchaeota")5. These light-harvesting antennas absorb in the blue-light range and transfer energy to the green-light absorbing retinal chromophore within HeimdallRs. Furthermore, antenna enhancement of proton pumping by HeimdallRs is also observed under white-light illumination along with a carotenoid-binding-induced structural change in the protein. Our results indicate that the use of light-harvesting antennas in microbial rhodopsins is observed not only in bacteria but also in marine archaea.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2024

Structural and Dynamic Insights into the Biased Signaling Mechanism of the Human Kappa Opioid Receptor

The {kappa}-opioid receptor (KOR) is a member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family, responsible for modulating cellular responses through transducers such as G proteins and arrestins. G protein-biased KOR agonists hold promise due to their potential to mitigate side effects such as drug aversion and sedation while preserving analgesic and antipruritic effects. Here, we shed light on the structural dynamics of the human KOR-Gi signaling complex bound with either nalfurafine (a G-protein-biased agonist) or U-50,488H (a balanced agonist) using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Cryo-EM structures of the KOR-Gi signaling complexes identify the ligand binding mode in the activated state. Vibrational spectroscopy analysis reveals changes in the ligand-binding pocket upon binding to these ligands. Cell-based mutant experiments pinpoint four amino acids (K2275.40, C2866.47, H2916.52, and Y3127.34; Ballesteros-Weinstein numbering is shown in superscript) that play crucial roles in arrestin recruitment. Among these four amino acids, H2916.52 and Y3127.34 are also implicated in G-protein coupling. Our findings pave the way for targeting specific residues in the KOR ligand-binding pocket to enhance KOR-mediated therapeutic effects while mitigating unwanted side effects.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2023

Production of Infectious Reporter Murine Norovirus by VP2 trans-Complementation

Human norovirus (HuNoV) causes gastroenteritis, a disease with no effective therapy or vaccine. Murine norovirus (MNV) easily replicates in cell culture and small animals and has often been used as a model to elucidate the structural and functional characteristics of HuNoV. A MNV plasmid-based reverse genetics system was developed to produce modified recombinant virus. In this study, we attempted to construct the recombinant virus by integrating a foreign gene into MNV ORF3 that encodes the minor structural protein VP2. We found that deletion of VP2 expression abolished infectious particles from MNV cDNA clones, and supplying exogenous VP2 to the cells rescued the infectivity of cDNA clones without VP2 expression. In addition, we found that the coding sequence of C-terminal ORF3 was essential for cDNA clones compensated with VP2 to produce infectious particles. Further, the recombinant virus with exogenous reporter genes in place of the dispensable ORF3 coding region was able to propagate when VP2 was constitutively supplied. Our findings indicate that foreign genes can be transduced into the norovirus ORF3 region when VP2 is supplied and that successive propagation of modified recombinant norovirus could lead to the development of norovirus-based vaccines or therapeutics. IMPORTANCEIn this study, we revealed that some of the coding regions of ORF3 could be replaced by foreign gene and infectious virus could be produced under conditions with VP2 supplied. Propagation of this virus depended on VP2 being supplied in trans, indicating that this virus could infect only once. Our findings help to elucidate the functions of VP2 in virus lifecycle and to the development of other caliciviral vectors for recombinant attenuated live enteric virus vaccines or therapeutics.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

Neonatal Fc receptor is a functional receptor for human astrovirus

Human astrovirus (HAstV) is a global cause of gastroenteritis in infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised people. However, its infection mechanism is not fully understood, with its functional receptor not yet discovered. Here, we identify neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) as a functional receptor for HAstV (mamastrovirus 1) using genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 library screening in Caco2 cells. Deletion of FCGRT or B2M, which encode subunits of FcRn, rendered Caco2 cells and intestinal organoid cells unsusceptible to HAstV. We also show that human FcRn expression renders non-permissive MDCK cells susceptible and that FcRn directly binds HAstV spike protein. Thus, our findings provide insight into the entry mechanism of HAstV.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

Structural basis for ion selectivity in potassium-selective channelrhodopsins

The KCR channelrhodopsins are recently-discovered light-gated ion channels with high K+ selectivity, a property that has attracted broad attention among biologists- due to intense interest in creating novel inhibitory tools for optogenetics leveraging this K+ selectivity, and due to the mystery of how this selectivity is achieved in the first place. Indeed, the molecular and structural mechanism for K+ selectivity in KCRs has remained especially puzzling since these 7-transmembrane retinal-binding proteins completely lack structural similarity with known K+ channels, which generally coordinate K+ in a precisely symmetric conduction pathway formed by a tight interface among multiple small monomeric channel subunits (presumably not an accessible mechanism for the large KCR rhodopsin proteins). Here we present the cryo-electron microscopy structures of two KCRs from Hyphochytrium catenoides with distinct spectral properties for light absorption and channel actuation, HcKCR1, and HcKCR2, at resolutions of 2.6 and 2.5 [A], respectively. Structural comparison revealed first an unusually-shaped retinal binding pocket which induces rotation of the retinal in HcKCR2, explaining the large spectral difference between HcKCR1 and 2. Next, our combined structural, electrophysiological, computational, and spectroscopic analyses revealed a new solution to the challenging problem of K+-selective transport. KCRs indeed do not exhibit the canonical tetrameric K+ selectivity filter that specifically coordinates dehydrated K+; instead, single KCR monomers form a size exclusion filter using aromatic residues at the extracellular side of the pore which inhibits passage of bulky hydrated ions. This unique feature allows KCRs to function as K+ channels under relevant physiological conditions, providing not only a novel mechanism for achieving high K+ permeability ratios in biological ion channels, but also a framework for designing the next generation of inhibitory optogenetic tools. In BriefThe first structures of K+-selective channelrhodopsins (HcKCR1 and 2) are determined, revealing a K+ selectivity mechanism distinctly different from canonical K+ channels. HighlightsO_LIThe cryo-EM structures of K+-selective channelrhodopsins, HcKCR1 and 2, in nanodisc C_LIO_LIConditions under which naturally-occurring microbial rhodopsins have a 6-s-cis retinal C_LIO_LIIdentification of key residues for high K+ permeability ratios C_LIO_LIThe unique K+ selectivity mechanism of KCRs C_LI

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2022

Comparison of personality structures between methodologies: personality ratings and behavioural observations in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata)

In this study, we aimed to clarify the structure of personality of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) using two methods, personality ratings and behavioural observation, which are frequently used in primate personality studies. Principal component analysis of personality ratings sampled in two waves that were assessed with questionnaires (Stevenson-Hinde and Zunz questionnaire in Wave 1 and Hominoid Personality Questionnaire in Wave 2) revealed four components for each wave: Dominance, Aggressiveness, Dependency, and Component4 and Dominance, Aggressiveness, Sociability, and Activity. By calculating the correlation coefficients for principal component loadings of personality ratings, we compared the personality structure of other primates from previous studies with that of Japanese macaques. Based on these results, we propose that the factors common to macaques and capuchin monkeys fall into the following four categories of Dominance, which correlates with dominance rank; Excitability, which expresses aggression and neuroticism; Sociability, which indicates how actively they try to interact with others; and Activity, which expresses exploratory behaviour and openness. Analysis of data from behavioural observation extracted four components: Kin-biased-approaching, Grooming-diversity, Activity, and Aggressiveness. Principal component scores were calculated from each rating and behavioural observation data, and correlation coefficients were used to examine whether the same personality traits were found in both these methods. In this analysis, the raters did not collect behavioural data to ensure that data from both these methods did not overlap. No identical personality traits were found between the two methods. This result may indicate that there was no specific personality structure in Japanese macaques and that each method assessed different aspects of behavioural patterns pertaining to animal behaviour. It is difficult to assume from this study the cross-situational consistency conventionally assumed by personality psychology, and the results suggest that individuals vary in the way their behaviour changes in response to their environment, that is, coherence.

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2022

Energy transfer in ubiquitous rhodopsin pumps with xanthophyll antennas

Energy transfer from light-harvesting ketocarotenoids to light-driven proton pumps xanthorhodopsins has been previously demonstrated in two unique cases: an extreme halophilic bacterium1 and a terrestrial cyanobacterium2. Attempts to find carotenoids that bind and transfer energy to rhodopsin proton pumps from the abundant marine and freshwater photoheterotrophs have thus far failed3-5. Here, using functional metagenomics combined with chromophore extraction from the environment, we detected light energy transfer from the widespread hydroxylated carotenoids zeaxanthin and lutein to the retinal moiety of xanthorhodopsins and proteorhodopsins. The light-harvesting carotenoids transfer up to 42% of the harvested energy in the violet/blue-light range to the green-light absorbing retinal chromophore. Our data suggest that these antennas have a significant impact on rhodopsin phototrophy in the worlds lakes, seas and oceans.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

Proton-transporting heliorhodopsins from marine giant viruses

Rhodopsins convert light into signals and energy in animals and microbes. Heliorhodopsins (HeRs), a recently discovered new rhodopsin family, are widely present in archaea, bacteria, unicellular eukaryotes, and giant viruses, but their function remains unknown. Here we report that a viral HeR from Emiliania huxleyi virus 202 (V2HeR3) is a light-gated proton channel. V2HeR3 absorbs blue-green lights, and the active intermediate contains the deprotonated retinal Schiff base. Site-directed mutagenesis study revealed that E191 in TM6 constitutes the gate together with the retinal Schiff base. E205 and E215 form a proton accepting group of the Schiff base, whose mutations converted the protein into an outward proton pump. Three environmental viral HeRs from the same group, as well as a more distantly related HeR exhibited similar proton-transport activity, indicating that HeR functions might be diverse similarly to type-1 microbial rhodopsins. Some strains of E. huxleyi contain one HeR that is related to the viral HeRs, while its viruses EhV-201 and EhV-202 contain two and three HeRs, respectively. Except for V2HeR3 from EhV-202, none of these proteins exhibit ion-transport activity. Thus, when expressed in the E. huxleyi cell membranes, only V2HeR3 has the potential to depolarize the host cells by light, possibly to overcome the host defense mechanisms or to prevent superinfection. The neuronal activity generated by V2HeR3 suggests that it can potentially be used as an optogenetic tools, like type-1 microbial rhodopsins.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2021

Nasal delivery of single-domain antibodies improve symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection in an animal model

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes the disease COVID-19 can lead to serious symptoms, such as severe pneumonia, in the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions. While vaccines are now available, they do not work for everyone and therapeutic drugs are still needed particularly for treating life-threatening conditions. Here, we showed nasal delivery of a new, unmodified camelid single-domain antibody (VHH), termed K-874A, effectively inhibited SARS-CoV-2 titers in infected lungs of Syrian hamsters without causing weight loss and cytokine induction. In vitro studies demonstrated that K-874A neutralized SARS-CoV-2 in both VeroE6/TMPRSS2 and human lung-derived alveolar organoid cells. Unlike other drug candidates, K-874A blocks viral membrane fusion rather than viral attachment. Cryo-electron microscopy revealed K-874A bound between the receptor binding domain and N-terminal domain of the virus S protein. Further, infected cells treated with K-874A produced fewer virus progeny that were less infective. We propose that direct administration of K-874A to the lung via a nebulizer could be a new treatment for preventing the reinfection of amplified virus in COVID-19 patients. Author summaryVaccines for COVID-19 are now available but therapeutic drugs are still needed to treat life-threatening cases and those who cannot be vaccinated. We discovered a new heavy-chain single-domain antibody that can effectively neutralize the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19. Unlike other drug candidates, which prevent the virus from attaching to the receptor on the host cell, this new antibody acts by blocking the virus membrane from fusing with the host cell membrane. We studied the behavior of the new antibody in vitro using VeroE6/TMPRSS2 cells and human lung organoids. When delivered through the nose to infected Syrian hamsters, we found that this antibody could prevent the typical symptoms caused by SARS-CoV-2. Our results are significant because delivering simple drugs directly to infected lungs using a nebulizer could increase the potency of the drugs while reducing the risk of immune reaction that could occur if the drugs escape or are delivered through the blood stream.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2020

Light-induced difference FTIR spectroscopy of primate blue-sensitive visual pigment at 163 K

Structural studies of color visual pigments lag far behind those of rhodopsin for scotopic vision. Using difference FTIR spectroscopy at 77 K, we report the first structural data of three primate color visual pigments, monkey red (MR), green (MG), and blue (MB), where the batho-intermediate (Batho) exhibits photoequilibrium with the unphotolyzed state. This photochromic property is highly advantageous for limited samples since the signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but may not be applicable to late intermediates, because of large structural changes to proteins. Here we report the photochromic property of MB at 163 K, where the BL intermediate, formed by the relaxation of Batho, is in photoequilibrium with the initial MB state. A comparison of the difference FTIR spectra at 77 and 163 K provided information on what happens in the process of transition from Batho to BL in MB. The coupled C11=C12 HOOP vibration in the planer structure in MB is decoupled by distortion in Batho after retinal photoisomerization, but returns to the coupled C11=C12 HOOP vibration in the all-trans chromophore in BL. This suggests that BL harbors a planer all-trans configuration of retinal. The Batho formation accompanies helical structural perturbation, which is relaxed in BL. The H-D unexchangeable X-H stretch weakens the hydrogen bond in Batho, but strengthens it in BL. Protein-bound water molecules that form an extended water cluster near the retinal chromophore change hydrogen bonds differently for Batho and BL, being stronger in the latter than in the initial state. In addition to structural dynamics, the present FTIR spectra at 163 K show no signals of protonated carboxylic acids as well as 77 K, suggesting that E181 is deprotonated in MB, Batho and BL.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2020

Unique retinal binding pocket of primate blue-sensitive visual pigment

The visual pigments of humans contain 11-cis retinal as the chromophore of light perception, and its photoisomerization to the all-trans form initiates visual excitation in our eyes. It is well known that three isomeric states of retinal (11-cis, all-trans, and 9-cis) are in photoequilibrium at very low temperatures such as 77 K. Here we report the lack of formation of the 9-cis form in monkey blue (MB) at 77 K, as revealed by light-induced difference FTIR spectroscopy. This indicates that the chromophore binding pocket of MB does not accommodate the 9-cis form, even though it accommodates the all-trans form by twisting the chromophore. Mutation of the blue-specific tyrosine at position 265 into tryptophan, which is highly conserved in other animal rhodopsins, led to formation of the 9-cis form in MB, suggesting that Y265 is one of the determinants of the unique photochemistry in blue pigments. We also found that 9-cis retinal does not bind to MB opsin, implying that the chromophore binding pocket does not accommodate the 9-cis form at physiological temperature. The unique property of MB is discussed based on the present results.

biochemistry↗