Electrophysiological in vitro characterization of new rhodopsins of the algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Photoreceptor currents of unicellular algae like Chamydomonas reinhardtii are carried by Ca2+ and H+. Recently we have identified two microbial type rhodopsins that mediate behavioral responses of the alga. In cooperation with G.Nagel (MPI Frankfurt) we have shown that these rhodopsins are light-gated cation channels. These new proteins represent a new photoreceptor family that is important for the understanding of fast algal sensory processes but also has a great potential for application in biotechnology and neuroscience. Within this project we will further characterize light dependence, ion specificity and gating properties of channelrhodopsins expressed in Xenopus oocytes.