Light-dark adaptation of channelrhodopsin C128T mutant

Abstract

Background: Channelrhodopsins are light-gated ion channels of microalgae. Results: By FTIR spectroscopy, we identified three different dark and two photoswitchable light-adapted states of the ChRC128T mutant. Conclusion: We propose a photocycle model that explains both spectroscopic and electrophysiological data. Significance: Color-dependent equilibria determine the stationary photocurrents in ChR applications (optogenetics). © 2013 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.