Bacteriophytochrome controls photosystem synthesis in anoxygenic bacteria

Darkness inhibits autokinase activity of bacterial bathy phytochromes

Bathy phytochromes are a subclass of bacterial biliprotein photoreceptors that carry a biliverdin IXα chromophore. In contrast to prototypical phytochromes that adopt a red-light-absorbing Pr ground state, the far-red light-absorbing Pfr-form is the thermally stable ground state of bathy phytochromes. Although the photobiology of bacterial phytochromes has been extensively studied since their discovery in the late 1990s, our understanding of the signal transduction process to the connected transmitter domains, which are often histidine kinases, remains insufficient. Initiated by the analysis of the bathy phytochrome PaBphP from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, we performed a systematic analysis of five different bathy phytochromes with the aim to derive a general statement on the correlation of photostate and autokinase output. While all proteins adopt different Pr/Pfr-fractions in response to red, blue, and far-red light, only darkness leads to a pure or highly enriched Pfr-form, directly correlated with the lowest level of autokinase activity. Using this information, we developed a method to quantitatively correlate the autokinase activity of phytochrome samples with well-defined stationary Pr/Pfr-fractions. We demonstrate that the off-state of the phytochromes is the Pfr-form and that different Pr/Pfr-fractions enable the organisms to fine-tune their kinase output in response to a certain light environment. Furthermore, the output response is regulated by the rate of dark reversion, which differs significantly from 5 s to 50 min half-life. Overall, our study indicates that bathy phytochromes function as sensors of light and darkness, rather than red and far-red light, as originally postulated.

Multifaceted photoreceptor compositions in dual phototrophic systems - A genomic analysis

For microbes and their hosts, sensing of external cues is essential for their survival. For example, in the case of plant associated microbes, the light absorbing pigment composition of the plant as well as the ambient light conditions determine the well-being of the microbe. In addition to light sensing, some microbes can utilize xanthorhodopsin based proton pumps and bacterial photosynthetic complexes that work in parallel for energy production. They are called dual phototrophic systems. Light sensing requirements in these type of systems are obviously demanding. In nature, the photosensing machinery follows mainly the same composition in all organisms. However, the specific role of each photosensor in specific light conditions is elusive. In this study, we provide an overall picture of photosensors present in dual phototrophic systems. We compare the genomes of the photosensor proteins from dual phototrophs to those from similar microbes with "single" phototrophicity or microbes without phototrophicity. We find that the dual phototrophic bacteria obtain a larger variety of photosensors than their light inactive counterparts. Their rich domain composition and functional repertoire remains similar across all microbial photosensors. Our study calls further investigations of this particular group of bacteria. This includes protein specific biophysical characterization in vitro, microbiological studies, as well as clarification of the ecological meaning of their host microbial interactions.

Cyanobacteriochromes from Gloeobacterales Provide New Insight into the Diversification of Cyanobacterial Photoreceptors

The phytochrome superfamily comprises three groups of photoreceptors sharing a conserved GAF (cGMP-specific phosphodiesterases, cyanobacterial adenylate cyclases, and formate hydrogen lyase transcription activator FhlA) domain that uses a covalently attached linear tetrapyrrole (bilin) chromophore to sense light. Knotted red/far-red phytochromes are widespread in both bacteria and eukaryotes, but cyanobacteria also contain knotless red/far-red phytochromes and cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs). Unlike typical phytochromes, CBCRs require only the GAF domain for bilin binding, chromophore ligation, and full, reversible photoconversion. CBCRs can sense a wide range of wavelengths (ca. 330-750 nm) and can regulate phototaxis, second messenger metabolism, and optimization of the cyanobacterial light-harvesting apparatus. However, the origins of CBCRs are not well understood: we do not know when or why CBCRs evolved, or what selective advantages led to retention of early CBCRs in cyanobacterial genomes. In the current work, we use the increasing availability of genomes and metagenome-assembled-genomes from early-branching cyanobacteria to explore the origins of CBCRs. We reaffirm the earliest branches in CBCR evolution. We also show that early-branching cyanobacteria contain late-branching CBCRs, implicating early appearance of CBCRs during cyanobacterial evolution. Moreover, we show that early-branching CBCRs behave as integrators of light and pH, providing a potential unique function for early CBCRs that led to their retention and subsequent diversification. Our results thus provide new insight into the origins of these diverse cyanobacterial photoreceptors.

Phytochrome-Interacting Proteins

Phytochromes are photoreceptors of plants, fungi, slime molds bacteria and heterokonts. These biliproteins sense red and far-red light and undergo light-induced changes between the two spectral forms, Pr and Pfr. Photoconversion triggered by light induces conformational changes in the bilin chromophore around the ring C-D-connecting methine bridge and is followed by conformational changes in the protein. For plant phytochromes, multiple phytochrome interacting proteins that mediate signal transduction, nuclear translocation or protein degradation have been identified. Few interacting proteins are known as bacterial or fungal phytochromes. Here, we describe how the interacting partners were identified, what is known about the different interactions and in which context of signal transduction these interactions are to be seen. The three-dimensional arrangement of these interacting partners is not known. Using an artificial intelligence system-based modeling software, a few predicted and modulated examples of interactions of bacterial phytochromes with their interaction partners are interpreted.

Signal Transduction in an Enzymatic Photoreceptor Revealed by Cryo-Electron Microscopy

Phytochromes are essential photoreceptor proteins in plants with homologs in bacteria and fungi that regulate a variety of important environmental responses. They display a reversible photocycle between two distinct states, the red-light absorbing Pr and the far-red light absorbing Pfr, each with its own structure. The reversible Pr to Pfr photoconversion requires covalently bound bilin chromophore and regulates the activity of a C-terminal enzymatic domain, which is usually a histidine kinase (HK). In plants, phytochromes translocate to nucleus where the C-terminal effector domain interacts with protein interaction factors (PIFs) to induce gene expression. In bacteria, the HK phosphorylates a response-regulator (RR) protein triggering downstream gene expression through a two-component signaling pathway. Although plant and bacterial phytochromes share similar structural composition, they have contrasting activity in the presence of light with most BphPs being active in the dark. The molecular mechanism that explains bacterial and plant phytochrome signaling has not been well understood due to limited structures of full-length phytochromes with enzymatic domain resolved at or near atomic resolution in both Pr and Pfr states. Here, we report the first Cryo-EM structures of a wild-type bacterial phytochrome with a HK enzymatic domain, determined in both Pr and Pfr states, between 3.75 and 4.13 Å resolution, respectively. Furthermore, we capture a distinct Pr/Pfr heterodimer of the same protein as potential signal transduction intermediate at 3.75 Å resolution. Our three Cryo-EM structures of the distinct signaling states of BphPs are further reinforced by Cryo-EM structures of the truncated PCM of the same protein determined for the Pr/Pfr heterodimer as well as Pfr state. These structures provide insight into the different light-signaling mechanisms that could explain how bacteria and plants see the light.

Conserved tyrosine in phytochromes controls the photodynamics through steric demand and hydrogen bonding capabilities

Using ultrafast spectroscopy and site-specific mutagenesis, we demonstrate the central role of a conserved tyrosine within the chromophore binding pocket in the forward (Pr → Pfr) photoconversion of phytochromes. Taking GAF1 of the knotless phytochrome All2699g1 from Nostoc as representative member of phytochromes, it was found that the mutations have no influence on the early (<30 ps) dynamics associated with conformational changes of the chromophore in the excited state. Conversely, they drastically impact the extended protein-controlled excited state decay (>100 ps). Thus, the steric demand, position and H-bonding capabilities of the identified tyrosine control the chromophore photoisomerization while leaving the excited state chromophore dynamics unaffected. In effect, this residue operates as an isomerization-steric-gate that tunes the excited state lifetime and the photoreaction efficiency by modulating the available space of the chromophore and by stabilizing the primary intermediate Lumi-R. Understanding the role of such a conserved structural element sheds light on a key aspect of phytochrome functionality and provides a basis for rational design of optimized photoreceptors for biotechnological applications.

Optogenetic manipulation and photoacoustic imaging using a near-infrared transgenic mouse model

Optogenetic manipulation and optical imaging in the near-infrared range allow non-invasive light-control and readout of cellular and organismal processes in deep tissues in vivo. Here, we exploit the advantages of Rhodopseudomonas palustris BphP1 bacterial phytochrome, which incorporates biliverdin chromophore and reversibly photoswitches between the ground (740-800 nm) and activated (620-680 nm) states, to generate a loxP-BphP1 transgenic mouse model. The mouse enables Cre-dependent temporal and spatial targeting of BphP1 expression in vivo. We validate the optogenetic performance of endogenous BphP1, which in the activated state binds its engineered protein partner QPAS1, to trigger gene transcription in primary cells and living mice. We demonstrate photoacoustic tomography of BphP1 expression in different organs, developing embryos, virus-infected tissues and regenerating livers, with the centimeter penetration depth. The transgenic mouse model provides opportunities for both near-infrared optogenetics and photoacoustic imaging in vivo and serves as a source of primary cells and tissues with genomically encoded BphP1.

Tips and turns of bacteriophytochrome photoactivation

Phytochromes are ubiquitous photosensor proteins, which control the growth, reproduction and movement in plants, fungi and bacteria. Phytochromes switch between two photophysical states depending on the light conditions. In analogy to molecular machines, light absorption induces a series of structural changes that are transduced from the bilin chromophore, through the protein, and to the output domains. Recent progress towards understanding this structural mechanism of signal transduction has been manifold. We describe this progress with a focus on bacteriophytochromes. We describe the mechanism along three structural tiers, which are the chromophore-binding pocket, the photosensory module, and the output domains. We discuss possible interconnections between the tiers and conclude by presenting future directions and open questions. We hope that this review may serve as a compendium to guide future structural and spectroscopic studies designed to understand structural signaling in phytochromes.

Phytochromes in Agrobacterium fabrum

The focus of this review is on the phytochromes Agp1 and Agp2 of Agrobacterium fabrum. These are involved in regulation of conjugation, gene transfer into plants, and other effects. Since crystal structures of both phytochromes are known, the phytochrome system of A. fabrum provides a tool for following the entire signal transduction cascade starting from light induced conformational changes to protein interaction and the triggering of DNA transfer processes.

High-resolution crystal structures of transient intermediates in the phytochrome photocycle

Phytochromes are red/far-red light photoreceptors in bacteria to plants, which elicit a variety of important physiological responses. They display a reversible photocycle between the resting Pr state and the light-activated Pfr state. Light signals are transduced as structural change through the entire protein to modulate its activity. It is unknown how the Pr-to-Pfr interconversion occurs, as the structure of intermediates remains notoriously elusive. Here, we present short-lived crystal structures of the photosensory core modules of the bacteriophytochrome from myxobacterium Stigmatella aurantiaca captured by an X-ray free electron laser 5 ns and 33 ms after light illumination of the Pr state. We observe large structural displacements of the covalently bound bilin chromophore, which trigger a bifurcated signaling pathway that extends through the entire protein. The snapshots show with atomic precision how the signal progresses from the chromophore, explaining how plants, bacteria, and fungi sense red light.

A light life together: photosensing in the plant microbiota

Bacteria and fungi of the plant microbiota can be phytopathogens, parasites or symbionts that establish mutually advantageous relationships with plants. They are often rich in photoreceptors for UVA-Visible light, and in many cases, they exhibit light regulation of growth patterns, infectivity or virulence, reproductive traits, and production of pigments and of metabolites. In addition to the light-driven effects, often demonstrated via the generation of photoreceptor gene knock-outs, microbial photoreceptors can exert effects also in the dark. Interestingly, some fungi switch their attitude towards plants in dependence of illumination or dark conditions in as much as they may be symbiotic or pathogenic. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the roles of light and photoreceptors in plant-associated bacteria and fungi aiming at the identification of common traits and general working ideas. Still, reports on light-driven infection of plants are often restricted to the description of macroscopically observable phenomena, whereas detailed information on the molecular level, e.g., protein-protein interaction during signal transduction or induction mechanisms of infectivity/virulence initiation remains sparse. As it becomes apparent from still only few molecular studies, photoreceptors, often from the red- and the blue light sensitive groups interact and mutually modulate their individual effects. The topic is of great relevance, even in economic terms, referring to plant-pathogen or plant-symbionts interactions, considering the increasing usage of artificial illumination in greenhouses, the possible light-regulation of the synthesis of plant-growth stimulating substances or herbicides by certain symbionts, and the biocontrol of pests by selected fungi and bacteria in a sustainable agriculture.

Phytochromes and Cyanobacteriochromes: Photoreceptor Molecules Incorporating a Linear Tetrapyrrole Chromophore

In this chapter, we summarize the molecular mechanisms of the linear tetrapyrrole-binding photoreceptors, phytochromes, and cyanobacteriochromes. We especially focus on the color-tuning mechanisms and conformational changes during the photoconversion process. Furthermore, we introduce current status of development of the optogenetic tools based on these molecules. Huge repertoire of these photoreceptors with diverse spectral properties would contribute to development of multiplex optogenetic regulation. Among them, the photoreceptors incorporating the biliverdin IXα chromophore is advantageous for in vivo optogenetics because this is intrinsic in the mammalian cells, and absorbs far-red light penetrating into deep mammalian tissues.

Day and blue light modify growth, cell physiology and indole-3-acetic acid production of Azospirillum brasilense Az39 under planktonic growth conditions

AIM

In this work, we evaluated the effects of light on growth, cell physiology and stress response of Azospirillum brasilense Az39, a non-photosynthetic rhizobacteria, under planktonic growth conditions.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Exponential cultures of Az39 were exposed to blue (BL), red (RL) and daylight (DL) or maintained in darkness for 24, 48 and 72 h. The biomass production and indole 3-acetic acid (IAA) biosynthesis increased by exposition to DL. Conversely, BL decreased IAA concentration through a direct effect on the molecule. The DL increased superoxide dismutase activity, hydrogen peroxide and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels, but the last one was also increased by BL. Both DL and BL increased cell aggregation but only BL increased biofilm formation.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that both BL and DL are stress effectors for A. brasilense Az39 under planktonic growth conditions. The DL increased biomass production, IAA biosynthesis and bacterial response to stress, whereas BL induced cell aggregation and biofilms formation, but decreased the IAA concentration by photooxidation.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Blue light and DL changes growth capacity, cell physiology and plant growth promotion ability of A. brasilense Az39 and these changes could be considered to improve the production and functionality of biofertilizers.

Spectroscopic and structural characteristics of a dual-light sensor protein, PYP-phytochrome related protein

PYP-phytochrome related (Ppr) protein contains the two light sensor domains, photoactive yellow protein (PYP) and bacteriophytochrome (Bph), which mainly absorb blue and red light by the chromophores of p-coumaric acid (pCA) and biliverdin (BV), respectively. As a result, Ppr has the ability to photoactivate both domains together or separately. We investigated the photoreaction of each photosensor domain under different light irradiation conditions and clarified the inter-dependency between these domains. Within the first 10 s of blue light illumination, Ppr (Holo-Holo-Ppr) accompanied by both pCA and BV demonstrated spectrum changes reflecting PYP_L accumulation, which can also be observed in Ppr containing only pCA (Holo-Apo-Ppr), and a fragment of Ppr lacking the C-terminal Bph domain. Although Holo-Apo-Ppr showed PYP_L as a major photoproduct under blue light, as seen in the Bph-truncated Ppr, the equilibrium in the Holo-Holo-Ppr was shifted from PYP_L to PYP_M as the reaction progresses under blue light. Concomitantly, the spectrum of Bph exhibited subtle but distinguishable alteration. Together with the fact, it can be proposed that Bph with BV influences the photoreaction of PYP in Ppr, and vice versa. SAXS measurements revealed substantial tertiary structure changes in Holo-Holo-Ppr under continuous blue light irradiation within the first 5 min time domain. Interestingly, the changes in tertiary structure were partially suppressed by photoactivation of the Bph domain. These observations indicate that the photoreactions of the PYP and Bph domains are coupled with each other, and that the interplay realizes the structural switch, which might be involved in downstream signal transduction.

Transition metal transporters in rhizobia: tuning the inorganic micronutrient requirements to different living styles

A group of bacteria known as rhizobia are key players in symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) in partnership with legumes. After a molecular exchange, the bacteria end surrounded by a plant membrane forming symbiosomes, organelle-like structures, where they differentiate to bacteroids and fix nitrogen. This symbiotic process is highly dependent on dynamic nutrient exchanges between the partners. Among these are transition metals (TM) participating as inorganic and organic cofactors of fundamental enzymes. While the understanding of how plant transporters facilitate TMs to the very near environment of the bacteroid is expanding, our knowledge on how bacteroid transporters integrate to TM homeostasis mechanisms in the plant host is still limited. This is significantly relevant considering the low solubility and scarcity of TMs in soils, and the in crescendo gradient of TM bioavailability rhizobia faces during the infection and bacteroid differentiation processes. In the present work, we review the main metal transporter families found in rhizobia, their role in free-living conditions and, when known, in symbiosis. We focus on discussing those transporters which could play a significant role in TM-dependent biochemical and physiological processes in the bacteroid, thus paving the way towards an optimized SNF.

Spectral and photochemical diversity of tandem cysteine cyanobacterial phytochromes

The atypical trichromatic cyanobacterial phytochrome NpTP1 from Nostoc punctiforme ATCC 29133 is a linear tetrapyrrole (bilin)-binding photoreceptor protein that possesses tandem-cysteine residues responsible for shifting its light-sensing maximum to the violet spectral region. Using bioinformatics and phylogenetic analyses, here we established that tandem-cysteine cyanobacterial phytochromes (TCCPs) compose a well-supported monophyletic phytochrome lineage distinct from prototypical red/far-red cyanobacterial phytochromes. To investigate the light-sensing diversity of this family, we compared the spectroscopic properties of NpTP1 (here renamed NpTCCP) with those of three phylogenetically diverged TCCPs identified in the draft genomes of Tolypothrix sp. PCC7910, Scytonema sp. PCC10023, and Gloeocapsa sp. PCC7513. Recombinant photosensory core modules of ToTCCP, ScTCCP, and GlTCCP exhibited violet-blue-absorbing dark-states consistent with dual thioether-linked phycocyanobilin (PCB) chromophores. Photoexcitation generated singly-linked photoproduct mixtures with variable ratios of yellow-orange and red-absorbing species. The photoproduct ratio was strongly influenced by pH and by mutagenesis of TCCP- and phytochrome-specific signature residues. Our experiments support the conclusion that both photoproduct species possess protonated 15E bilin chromophores, but differ in the ionization state of the noncanonical "second" cysteine sulfhydryl group. We found that the ionization state of this and other residues influences subsequent conformational change and downstream signal transmission. We also show that tandem-cysteine phytochromes present in eukaryotes possess similar amino acid substitutions within their chromophore-binding pocket, which tune their spectral properties in an analogous fashion. Taken together, our findings provide a roadmap for tailoring the wavelength specificity of plant phytochromes to optimize plant performance in diverse natural and artificial light environments.

Yeast engineered translucent cell wall to provide its endosymbiont cyanobacteria with light

In this study, relationship between translucent property of yeast cell wall and occurrence of cyanobacteria inside the yeast vacuole was examined. Microscopic observations on fruit yeast Candida tropicalis showed occurrence of bacterium-like bodies inside the yeast vacuole. Appearance of vacuoles as distinct cavities indicated the perfect harvesting of light by the yeast's cell wall. Transmission electron microscopy observation showed electron-dense outer and electron-lucent inner layers in yeast cell wall. Cyanobacteria-specific 16S rRNA gene was amplified from total DNA of yeast. Cultivation of yeast in distilled water led to excision of intracellular bacteria which grew on cyanobacteria-specific medium. Examination of wet mount and Gram-stained preparations of excised bacteria showed typical bead-like trichomes. Amplification of cyanobacteria-specific genes, 16S rRNA, cnfR and dxcf, confirmed bacterial identity as Leptolyngbya boryana. These results showed that translucent cell wall of yeast has been engineered through evolution for receiving light for vital activities of cyanobacteria.

Phytochrome evolution in 3D: deletion, duplication, and diversification

Canonical plant phytochromes are master regulators of photomorphogenesis and the shade avoidance response. They are also part of a widespread superfamily of photoreceptors with diverse spectral and biochemical properties. Plant phytochromes belong to a clade including other phytochromes from glaucophyte, prasinophyte, and streptophyte algae (all members of the Archaeplastida) and those from cryptophyte algae. This is consistent with recent analyses supporting the existence of an AC (Archaeplastida + Cryptista) clade. AC phytochromes have been proposed to arise from ancestral cyanobacterial genes via endosymbiotic gene transfer (EGT), but most recent studies instead support multiple horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events to generate extant eukaryotic phytochromes. In principle, this scenario would be compared to the emerging understanding of early events in eukaryotic evolution to generate a coherent picture. Unfortunately, there is currently a major discrepancy between the evolution of phytochromes and the evolution of eukaryotes; phytochrome evolution is thus not a solved problem. We therefore examine phytochrome evolution in a broader context. Within this context, we can identify three important themes in phytochrome evolution: deletion, duplication, and diversification. These themes drive phytochrome evolution as organisms evolve in response to environmental challenges.

Light on the cell cycle of the non-photosynthetic bacterium Ramlibacter tataouinensis

Ramlibacter tataouinensis TTB310, a non-photosynthetic betaproteobacterium isolated from a semi-arid region of southern Tunisia, forms both rods and cysts. Cysts are resistant to desiccation and divide when water and nutrients are available. Rods are motile and capable of dissemination. Due to the strong correlation between sunlight and desiccation, light is probably an important external signal for anticipating desiccating conditions. Six genes encoding potential light sensors were identified in strain TTB310. Two genes encode for bacteriophytochromes, while the four remaining genes encode for putative blue light receptors. We determined the spectral and photochemical properties of the two recombinant bacteriophytochromes RtBphP1 and RtBphP2. In both cases, they act as sensitive red light detectors. Cyst divisions and a complete cyst-rod-cyst cycle are the main processes in darkness, whereas rod divisions predominate in red or far-red light. Mutant phenotypes caused by the inactivation of genes encoding bacteriophytochromes or heme oxygenase clearly show that both bacteriophytochromes are involved in regulating the rod-rod division. This process could favor rapid rod divisions at sunrise, after dew formation but before the progressive onset of desiccation. Our study provides the first evidence of a light-based strategy evolved in a non-photosynthetic bacterium to exploit scarse water in a desert environment.

Light-induced complex formation of bacteriophytochrome RpBphP1 and gene repressor RpPpsR2 probed by SAXS

Bacteriophytochrome proteins (BphPs) are molecular light switches that enable organisms to adapt to changing light conditions through the control of gene expression. Canonical type 1 BphPs have histidine kinase output domains, but type 3 RpBphP1, in the bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris (Rps. palustris), has a C terminal PAS9 domain and a two-helix output sensor (HOS) domain. Type 1 BphPs form head-to-head parallel dimers; however, the crystal structure of RpBphP1ΔHOS, which does not contain the HOS domain, revealed pseudo anti-parallel dimers. HOS domains are homologs of Dhp dimerization domains in type 1 BphPs. We show, by applying the small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) technique on full-length RpBphP1, that HOS domains fulfill a similar role in the formation of parallel dimers. On illumination with far-red light, RpBphP1 forms a complex with gene repressor RpPpsR2 through light-induced structural changes in its HOS domains. An RpBphP1:RpPpsR2 complex is formed in the molecular ratio of 2 : 1 such that one RpBphP1 dimer binds one RpPpsR2 monomer. Molecular dimers have been modeled with Pfr and Pr SAXS data, suggesting that, in the Pfr state, stable dimeric four α-helix bundles are formed between HOS domains, rendering RpBphP1functionally inert. On illumination with light of 760 nm wavelength, four α-helix bundles formed by HOS dimers are disrupted, rendering helices available for binding with RpPpsR2.

Modular Diversity of the BLUF Proteins and Their Potential for the Development of Diverse Optogenetic Tools

Organisms can respond to varying light conditions using a wide range of sensory photoreceptors. These photoreceptors can be standalone proteins or represent a module in multidomain proteins, where one or more modules sense light as an input signal which is converted into an output response via structural rearrangements in these receptors. The output signals are utilized downstream by effector proteins or multiprotein clusters to modulate their activity, which could further affect specific interactions, gene regulation or enzymatic catalysis. The blue-light using flavin (BLUF) photosensory module is an autonomous unit that is naturally distributed among functionally distinct proteins. In this study, we identified 34 BLUF photoreceptors of prokaryotic and eukaryotic origin from available bioinformatics sequence databases. Interestingly, our analysis shows diverse BLUF-effector arrangements with a functional association that was previously unknown or thought to be rare among the BLUF class of sensory proteins, such as endonucleases, tet repressor family (tetR), regulators of G-protein signaling, GAL4 transcription family and several other previously unidentified effectors, such as RhoGEF, Phosphatidyl-Ethanolamine Binding protein (PBP), ankyrin and leucine-rich repeats. Interaction studies and the indexing of BLUF domains further show the diversity of BLUF-effector combinations. These diverse modular architectures highlight how the organism’s behaviour, cellular processes, and distinct cellular outputs are regulated by integrating BLUF sensing modules in combination with a plethora of diverse signatures. Our analysis highlights the modular diversity of BLUF containing proteins and opens the possibility of creating a rational design of novel functional chimeras using a BLUF architecture with relevant cellular effectors. Thus, the BLUF domain could be a potential candidate for the development of powerful novel optogenetic tools for its application in modulating diverse cell signaling.

SoyCSN: Soybean context-specific network analysis and prediction based on tissue-specific transcriptome data

The Soybean Gene Atlas project provides a comprehensive map for understanding gene expression patterns in major soybean tissues from flower, root, leaf, nodule, seed, and shoot and stem. The RNA-Seq data generated in the project serve as a valuable resource for discovering tissue-specific transcriptome behavior of soybean genes in different tissues. We developed a computational pipeline for Soybean context-specific network (SoyCSN) inference with a suite of prediction tools to analyze, annotate, retrieve, and visualize soybean context-specific networks at both transcriptome and interactome levels. BicMix and Cross-Conditions Cluster Detection algorithms were applied to detect modules based on co-expression relationships across all the tissues. Soybean context-specific interactomes were predicted by combining soybean tissue gene expression and protein-protein interaction data. Functional analyses of these predicted networks provide insights into soybean tissue specificities. For example, under symbiotic, nitrogen-fixing conditions, the constructed soybean leaf network highlights the connection between the photosynthesis function and rhizobium-legume symbiosis. SoyCSN data and all its results are publicly available via an interactive web service within the Soybean Knowledge Base (SoyKB) at http://soykb.org/SoyCSN. SoyCSN provides a useful web-based access for exploring context specificities systematically in gene regulatory mechanisms and gene relationships for soybean researchers and molecular breeders.

System-level analysis of metabolic trade-offs during anaerobic photoheterotrophic growth in Rhodopseudomonas palustris

Background

Living organisms need to allocate their limited resources in a manner that optimizes their overall fitness by simultaneously achieving several different biological objectives. Examination of these biological trade-offs can provide invaluable information regarding the biophysical and biochemical bases behind observed cellular phenotypes. A quantitative knowledge of a cell system’s critical objectives is also needed for engineering of cellular metabolism, where there is interest in mitigating the fitness costs that may result from human manipulation.

Results

To study metabolism in photoheterotrophs, we developed and validated a genome-scale model of metabolism in Rhodopseudomonas palustris, a metabolically versatile gram-negative purple non-sulfur bacterium capable of growing phototrophically on various carbon sources, including inorganic carbon and aromatic compounds. To quantitatively assess trade-offs among a set of important biological objectives during different metabolic growth modes, we used our new model to conduct an 8-dimensional multi-objective flux analysis of metabolism in R. palustris. Our results revealed that phototrophic metabolism in R. palustris is light-limited under anaerobic conditions, regardless of the available carbon source. Under photoheterotrophic conditions, R. palustris prioritizes the optimization of carbon efficiency, followed by ATP production and biomass production rate, in a Pareto-optimal manner. To achieve maximum carbon fixation, cells appear to divert limited energy resources away from growth and toward CO₂ fixation, even in the presence of excess reduced carbon. We also found that to achieve the theoretical maximum rate of biomass production, anaerobic metabolism requires import of additional compounds (such as protons) to serve as electron acceptors. Finally, we found that production of hydrogen gas, of potential interest as a candidate biofuel, lowers the cellular growth rates under all circumstances.

Conclusions

Photoheterotrophic metabolism of R. palustris is primarily regulated by the amount of light it can absorb and not the availability of carbon. However, despite carbon’s secondary role as a regulating factor, R. palustris’ metabolism strives for maximum carbon efficiency, even when this increased efficiency leads to slightly lower growth rates.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12859-019-2844-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Evidence for weak interaction between phytochromes Agp1 and Agp2 from Agrobacterium fabrum

During bacterial conjugation, plasmid DNA is transferred from cell to cell. In Agrobacterium fabrum, conjugation is regulated by the phytochrome photoreceptors Agp1 and Agp2. Both contribute equally to this regulation. Agp1 and Agp2 are histidine kinases, but, for Agp2, we found no autophosphorylation activity. A clear autophosphorylation signal, however, was obtained with mutants in which the phosphoaccepting Asp of the C-terminal response regulator domain is replaced. Thus, the Agp2 histidine kinase differs from the classical transphosphorylation pattern. We performed size exclusion, photoconversion, dark reversion, autophosphorylation, chromophore assembly kinetics and fluorescence resonance energy transfer measurements on mixed Agp1/Agp2 samples. These assays pointed to an interaction between both proteins. This could partially explain the coaction of both phytochromes in the cell.

Antarctic heterotrophic bacterium Hymenobacter nivis P3T displays light-enhanced growth and expresses putative photoactive proteins

Hymenobacter nivis P3^T is a heterotrophic bacterium isolated from Antarctic red snow generated by algal blooms. Despite being non-photosynthetic, H. nivis was dominantly found in the red snow environment that is exposed to high light and UV irradiation, suggesting that this species can flourish under such harsh conditions. In order to further understand the adaptive strategies on the snow surface environment of Antarctica, the genome of H. nivis P3^T was sequenced and analyzed, which identified genes putatively encoding for light-reactive proteins such as proteorhodopsin, phytochrome, photolyase and several copies of cryptochromes. Culture-based experiments revealed that H. nivis P3^T growth was significantly enhanced under light conditions, while dark conditions had increased extracellular polymeric substances. Furthermore, the expression of several putative light-reactive proteins was determined by proteomic analysis. These results indicate that H. nivis P3^T is able to potentially utilize light, which may explain its dominance on the red snow surface environment of Antarctica. ORIGINALITY-SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The role of proteorhodopsin in heterotrophic bacteria is not well-characterized, as only a handful of proteorhodopsin-harbouring isolates were shown to have a light-enhanced phenotype through culture-based experiments to date. This is the first study that demonstrates light-stimulated growth and protein expression evidence of photoactive proteins for a non-marine psychrophile and for a member of the genus Hymenobacter. It is also the first study that provides comprehensive proteome information for this genus. This study presents significant results in understanding the adaptive mechanism of a heterotrophic non-photosynthetic bacterium thriving on the snow surface environment of Antarctica as well as demonstrating the role of light-utilization in promoting growth, possibly through proteorhodopsin.

Protonation of the Biliverdin IXα Chromophore in the Red and Far-Red Photoactive States of a Bacteriophytochrome

The tetrapyrrole chromophore biliverdin IXα (BV) in the bacteriophytochrome from Deinococcus radiodurans (DrBphP) is usually assumed to be fully protonated, but this assumption has not been systematically validated by experiments or extensive computations. Here, we use force field molecular dynamics simulations and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations with density functional theory and XMCQDPT2 methods to investigate the effect of the five most probable protonation forms of BV on structural stability, binding pocket interactions, and absorption spectra in the two photochromic states of DrBphP. While agreement with X-ray structural data and measured UV/vis spectra suggest that in both states the protonated form of the chromophore dominates, we also find that a minor population with a deprotonated D-ring could contribute to the red-shifted tail in the absorption spectra.

Combining near-infrared fluorescence with Brainbow to visualize expression of specific genes within a multicolor context

Fluorescent proteins are a powerful experimental tool, allowing the visualization of gene expression and cellular behaviors in a variety of systems. Multicolor combinations of fluorescent proteins, such as Brainbow, have expanded the range of possible research questions and are useful for distinguishing and tracking cells. The addition of a separately driven color, however, would allow researchers to report expression of a manipulated gene within the multicolor context to investigate mechanistic effects. A far-red or near-infrared protein could be particularly suitable in this context, as these can be distinguished spectrally from Brainbow. We investigated five far-red/near-infrared proteins in zebrafish: TagRFP657, mCardinal, miRFP670, iRFP670, and mIFP. Our results show that both mCardinal and iRFP670 are useful fluorescent proteins for zebrafish expression. We also introduce a new transgenic zebrafish line that expresses Brainbow under the control of the neuroD promoter. We demonstrate that mCardinal can be used to track the expression of a manipulated bone morphogenetic protein receptor within the Brainbow context. The overlay of near-infrared fluorescence onto a Brainbow background defines a clear strategy for future research questions that aim to manipulate or track the effects of specific genes within a population of cells that are delineated using multicolor approaches.

Visible light biophotosensors using biliverdin from Antheraea yamamai

We report an endogenous photoelectric biomolecule and demonstrate that such a biomolecule can be used to detect visible light. We identify the green pigment abundantly present in natural silk cocoons of Antheraea yamamai (Japanese oak silkmoth) as biliverdin, using mass spectroscopy and optical spectroscopy. Biliverdin extracted from the green silk cocoons generates photocurrent upon light illumination with distinct colors. We further characterize the basic performance, responsiveness, and stability of the biliverdin-based biophotosensors at a photovoltaic device level using blue, green, orange, and red light illumination. Biliverdin could potentially serve as an optoelectric biomolecule toward the development of next-generation implantable photosensors and artificial photoreceptors.

Differing isoforms of the cobalamin binding photoreceptor AerR oppositely regulate photosystem expression

Phototrophic microorganisms adjust photosystem synthesis in response to changes in light intensity and wavelength. A variety of different photoreceptors regulate this process. Purple photosynthetic bacteria synthesize a novel photoreceptor AerR that uses cobalamin (B₁₂) as a blue-light absorbing chromophore to control photosystem synthesis. AerR directly interacts with the redox responding transcription factor CrtJ, affecting CrtJ's interaction with photosystem promoters. In this study, we show that AerR is translated as two isoforms that differ by 41 amino acids at the amino terminus. The ratio of these isoforms was affected by light and cell growth phase with the long variant predominating during photosynthetic exponential growth and the short variant predominating in dark conditions and/or stationary phase. Pigmentation and transcriptomic analyses show that the short AerR variant represses, while long variant activates, photosynthesis genes. The long form of AerR also activates many genes involved in cellular metabolism and motility.

Peter R, Hernandez CN, Ozarowski WB, Roy-Chowdhuri S, Yang JH, Edlund P, Takala H, Ihalainen J, Brayshaw J, Norwood T, Poudyal I, Fromme P, Spence JCH, Moffat K, Westenhoff S, Schmidt M, Stojković EA. Structural basis for light control of cell development revealed by crystal structures of a myxobacterial phytochrome

Phytochromes are red-light photoreceptors that were first characterized in plants, with homologs in photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic bacteria known as bacteriophytochromes (BphPs). Upon absorption of light, BphPs interconvert between two states denoted Pr and Pfr with distinct absorption spectra in the red and far-red. They have recently been engineered as enzymatic photoswitches for fluorescent-marker applications in non-invasive tissue imaging of mammals. This article presents cryo- and room-temperature crystal structures of the unusual phytochrome from the non-photosynthetic myxo-bacterium Stigmatella aurantiaca (SaBphP1) and reveals its role in the fruiting-body formation of this photomorphogenic bacterium. SaBphP1 lacks a conserved histidine (His) in the chromophore-binding domain that stabilizes the Pr state in the classical BphPs. Instead it contains a threonine (Thr), a feature that is restricted to several myxobacterial phytochromes and is not evolutionarily understood. SaBphP1 structures of the chromophore binding domain (CBD) and the complete photosensory core module (PCM) in wild-type and Thr-to-His mutant forms reveal details of the molecular mechanism of the Pr/Pfr transition associated with the physiological response of this myxobacterium to red light. Specifically, key structural differences in the CBD and PCM between the wild-type and the Thr-to-His mutant involve essential chromophore contacts with proximal amino acids, and point to how the photosignal is transduced through the rest of the protein, impacting the essential enzymatic activity in the photomorphogenic response of this myxobacterium.

Seeing the Light: The Roles of Red- and Blue-Light Sensing in Plant Microbes

Plants collect, concentrate, and conduct light throughout their tissues, thus enhancing light availability to their resident microbes. This review explores the role of photosensing in the biology of plant-associated bacteria and fungi, including the molecular mechanisms of red-light sensing by phytochromes and blue-light sensing by LOV (light-oxygen-voltage) domain proteins in these microbes. Bacteriophytochromes function as major drivers of the bacterial transcriptome and mediate light-regulated suppression of virulence, motility, and conjugation in some phytopathogens and light-regulated induction of the photosynthetic apparatus in a stem-nodulating symbiont. Bacterial LOV proteins also influence light-mediated changes in both symbiotic and pathogenic phenotypes. Although red-light sensing by fungal phytopathogens is poorly understood, fungal LOV proteins contribute to blue-light regulation of traits, including asexual development and virulence. Collectively, these studies highlight that plant microbes have evolved to exploit light cues and that light sensing is often coupled with sensing other environmental signals.

A robotic multidimensional directed evolution approach applied to fluorescent voltage reporters

We here present a new way to engineer complex proteins toward multidimensional specifications, through a simple yet scalable directed evolution strategy. By robotically picking mammalian cells that are identified, under a microscope, to express proteins that simultaneously exhibit several specific properties, we can screen through hundreds of thousands of proteins in a library in a matter of a few hours, evaluating each along multiple performance axes. We demonstrate the power of this approach by identifying a novel genetically encoded fluorescent voltage indicator, simultaneously optimizing brightness and membrane localization of the protein using our microscopy-guided cell picking strategy. We produced the high-performance opsin-based fluorescent voltage reporter Archon1, and demonstrated its utility by imaging spiking and millivolt-scale subthreshold and synaptic activity in acute mouse brain slices as well as in larval zebrafish in vivo. We also demonstrate measurement of postsynaptic responses downstream of optogenetically controlled neurons in C. elegans.

Synthesis of Carotenoids of Industrial Interest in the Photosynthetic Bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris : Bioengineering and Growth Conditions

Rhodopseudomonas palustris is a purple photosynthetic bacterium that accumulates in the inner membrane the photosynthetic pigment spirilloxanthin, formed from lycopene. Here, we describe the procedures used to successfully engineer Rps. palustris strains to reroute the production of lycopene toward the synthesis of ß-carotene or canthaxanthin. The crtCD genes specifically involved in spirilloxanthin were replaced by crtY and crtW genes from Bradyrhizobium ORS278 to synthesize ß-carotene and (or) canthaxanthin, two pigments of industrial interest. Since the synthesis of canthaxanthin depends on the presence of oxygen, the procedure to optimize their production is also proposed. By modulating the light and oxygen during the growth process, a single species of photosynthetic bacteria, with an efficient growth rate, produces various carotenoids of economical interest.

Coordination of the biliverdin D-ring in bacteriophytochromes

Vibrational spectroscopy and crystallography experiments provide a basis for understanding the isomerization reaction in phytochrome proteins.

Light-controlled motility in prokaryotes and the problem of directional light perception

The natural light environment is important to many prokaryotes. Most obviously, phototrophic prokaryotes need to acclimate their photosynthetic apparatus to the prevailing light conditions, and such acclimation is frequently complemented by motility to enable cells to relocate in search of more favorable illumination conditions. Non-phototrophic prokaryotes may also seek to avoid light at damaging intensities and wavelengths, and many prokaryotes with diverse lifestyles could potentially exploit light signals as a rich source of information about their surroundings and a cue for acclimation and behavior. Here we discuss our current understanding of the ways in which bacteria can perceive the intensity, wavelength and direction of illumination, and the signal transduction networks that link light perception to the control of motile behavior. We discuss the problems of light perception at the prokaryotic scale, and the challenge of directional light perception in small bacterial cells. We explain the peculiarities and the common features of light-controlled motility systems in prokaryotes as diverse as cyanobacteria, purple photosynthetic bacteria, chemoheterotrophic bacteria and haloarchaea.

Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae B728a Regulates Multiple Stages of Plant Colonization via the Bacteriophytochrome BphP1

Light may be an important environmental signal for plant-associated bacteria, particularly those that live on leaves. An integrated network of red/far-red- and blue-light-responsive photosensory proteins is known to inhibit swarming motility in the foliar plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae B728a. Here we elucidated factors in the red/far-red-light-sensing bacteriophytochrome BphP1 signal transduction pathway and report evidence for a role of BphP1 in multiple stages of the P. syringae B728a life cycle. We report that BphP1 signaling involves the downstream regulator Bsi (bacteriophytochrome-regulated swarming inhibitor) and an acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) signal. Loss of bphP1 or bsi resulted in the early initiation of swarm tendrils during swarming motility, a phenotype that was dependent on red/far-red light and reversed by exogenous AHL, illustrating that the BphP1-Bsi-AHL pathway inhibits the transition from a sessile state to a motile state. Loss of bphP1 or bsi resulted in larger water-soaked lesions induced on bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) pods and enhanced movement from soil and buried plant tissues to seeds, demonstrating that BphP1 and Bsi negatively regulate virulence and bacterial movement through soil to seeds. Moreover, BphP1, but not Bsi, contributed to leaf colonization; loss of bphP1 reduced survival on leaves immediately following inoculation but enhanced the size of the subsequently established populations. Neither Bsi nor Smp, a swarm motility-promoting regulator identified here, affected leaf colonization, indicating that BphP1-mediated contributions to leaf colonization are, at least in part, independent of swarming motility. These results demonstrate that P. syringae B728a red-light sensing involves a multicomponent, branched regulatory pathway that affects several stages of its life cycle.

Microbes on plants are particularly well positioned to exploit light cues based on the importance of light to plant growth. Photosensory proteins enable organisms to sense light and respond to light, but their roles in the life cycles of plant microbes are poorly understood. This study investigated the cellular components and ecological roles of red/far-red-light sensing in the foliar bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae. The study demonstrated that a bacteriophytochrome photosensory protein functions via a multicomponent, branched regulatory pathway that operates primarily through red/far-red-light-mediated inhibition. This pathway negatively regulates the transition from sessile to motile states under conditions conducive to swarming motility. It also negatively regulates virulence on bean pods, movement through soil to seeds, and survival following inoculation on leaves, but it positively contributes to the eventual establishment of leaf-borne populations. These results provide strong evidence that light sensing modulates behaviors at multiple stages in the life cycle of a nonphotosynthetic, plant microbe.

Interaction of Biliverdin Chromophore with Near-Infrared Fluorescent Protein BphP1-FP Engineered from Bacterial Phytochrome

Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent proteins (FPs) designed from PAS (Per-ARNT-Sim repeats) and GAF (cGMP phosphodiesterase/adenylate cyclase/FhlA transcriptional activator) domains of bacterial phytochromes covalently bind biliverdin (BV) chromophore via one or two Cys residues. We studied BV interaction with a series of NIR FP variants derived from the recently reported BphP1-FP protein. The latter was engineered from a bacterial phytochrome RpBphP1, and has two reactive Cys residues (Cys15 in the PAS domain and Cys256 in the GAF domain), whereas its mutants contain single Cys residues either in the PAS domain or in the GAF domain, or no Cys residues. We characterized BphP1-FP and its mutants biochemically and spectroscopically in the absence and in the presence of denaturant. We found that all BphP1-FP variants are monomers. We revealed that spectral properties of the BphP1-FP variants containing either Cys15 or Cys256, or both, are determined by the covalently bound BV chromophore only. Consequently, this suggests an involvement of the inter-monomeric allosteric effects in the BV interaction with monomers in dimeric NIR FPs, such as iRFPs. Likely, insertion of the Cys15 residue, in addition to the Cys256 residue, in dimeric NIR FPs influences BV binding by promoting the BV chromophore covalent cross-linking to both PAS and GAF domains.

Blue Light Perception by Both Roots and Rhizobia Inhibits Nodule Formation in Lotus japonicus

In many legumes, roots that are exposed to light do not form nodules. Here, we report that blue light inhibits nodulation in Lotus japonicus roots inoculated with Mesorhizobium loti. Using RNA interference, we suppressed the expression of the phototropin and cryptochrome genes in L. japonicus hairy roots. Under blue light, plants transformed with an empty vector did not develop nodules, whereas plants exhibiting suppressed expression of cry1 and cry2 genes formed nodules. We also measured rhizobial growth to investigate whether the inhibition of nodulation could be caused by a reduced population of rhizobia in response to light. Although red light had no effect on rhizobial growth, blue light had a strong inhibitory effect. Rhizobial growth under blue light was partially restored in signature-tagged mutagenesis (STM) strains in which LOV-HK/PAS- and photolyase-related genes were disrupted. Moreover, when Ljcry1A and Ljcry2B-silenced plants were inoculated with the STM strains, nodulation was additively increased. Our data show that blue light receptors in both the host plant and the symbiont have a profound effect on nodule development. The exact mechanism by which these photomorphogenetic responses function in the symbiosis needs further study, but they are clearly involved in optimizing legume nodulation.

The Crystal Structures of the N-terminal Photosensory Core Module of Agrobacterium Phytochrome Agp1 as Parallel and Anti-parallel Dimers

Agp1 is a canonical biliverdin-binding bacteriophytochrome from the soil bacterium Agrobacterium fabrum that acts as a light-regulated histidine kinase. Crystal structures of the photosensory core modules (PCMs) of homologous phytochromes have provided a consistent picture of the structural changes that these proteins undergo during photoconversion between the parent red light-absorbing state (Pr) and the far-red light-absorbing state (Pfr). These changes include secondary structure rearrangements in the so-called tongue of the phytochrome-specific (PHY) domain and structural rearrangements within the long α-helix that connects the cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase, adenylyl cyclase, and FhlA (GAF) and the PHY domains. We present the crystal structures of the PCM of Agp1 at 2.70 Å resolution and of a surface-engineered mutant of this PCM at 1.85 Å resolution in the dark-adapted Pr states. Whereas in the mutant structure the dimer subunits are in anti-parallel orientation, the wild-type structure contains parallel subunits. The relative orientations between the PAS-GAF bidomain and the PHY domain are different in the two structures, due to movement involving two hinge regions in the GAF-PHY connecting α-helix and the tongue, indicating pronounced structural flexibility that may give rise to a dynamic Pr state. The resolution of the mutant structure enabled us to detect a sterically strained conformation of the chromophore at ring A that we attribute to the tight interaction with Pro-461 of the conserved PRXSF motif in the tongue. Based on this observation and on data from mutants where residues in the tongue region were replaced by alanine, we discuss the crucial roles of those residues in Pr-to-Pfr photoconversion.

Bacteriophytochromes control conjugation in Agrobacterium fabrum

Bacterial conjugation, the transfer of single stranded plasmid DNA from donor to recipient cell, is mediated through the type IV secretion system. We performed conjugation assays using a transmissible artificial plasmid as reporter. With this assay, conjugation in Agrobacterium fabrum was modulated by the phytochromes Agp1 and Agp2, photoreceptors that are most sensitive in the red region of visible light. In conjugation studies with wild-type donor cells carrying a pBIN-GUSINT plasmid as reporter that lacked the Ti (tumor inducing) plasmid, no conjugation was observed. When either agp1(-) or agp2(-) knockout donor strains were used, plasmid DNA was delivered to the recipient, indicating that both phytochromes suppress conjugation in the wild type donor. In the recipient strains, the loss of Agp1 or Agp2 led to diminished conjugation. When wild type cells with Ti plasmid and pBIN-GUS reporter plasmid were used as donor, a high rate of conjugation was observed. The DNA transfer was down regulated by red or far-red light by a factor of 3.5. With agp1(-) or agp2(-) knockout donor cells, conjugation in the dark was about 10 times lower than with the wild type donor, and with the double knockout donor no conjugation was observed. These results imply that the phytochrome system has evolved to inhibit conjugation in the light. The decrease of conjugation under different temperature correlated with the decrease of phytochrome autophosphorylation.

From photon to signal in phytochromes: similarities and differences between prokaryotic and plant phytochromes

Phytochromes represent a diverse family of red/far-red-light absorbing chromoproteins which are widespread across plants, cyanobacteria, non-photosynthetic bacteria, and more. Phytochromes play key roles in regulating physiological activities in response to light, a critical element in the acclimatization to the environment. The discovery of prokaryotic phytochromes facilitated structural studies which deepened our understanding on the general mechanisms of phytochrome action. An extrapolation of this information to plant phytochromes is justified for universally conserved functional aspects, but it is also true that there are many aspects which are unique to plant phytochromes. Here I summarize some structural studies carried out to date on both prokaryotic and plant phytochromes. I also attempt to identify aspects which are common or unique to plant and prokaryotic phytochromes. Phytochrome themselves, as well as the downstream signaling pathway in plants are more complex than in their prokaryotic counterparts. Thus many structural and functional aspects of plant phytochrome remain unresolved.

Rational design of a monomeric and photostable far-red fluorescent protein for fluorescence imaging in vivo

Fluorescent proteins (FPs) are powerful tools for cell and molecular biology. Here based on structural analysis, a blue-shifted mutant of a recently engineered monomeric infrared fluorescent protein (mIFP) has been rationally designed. This variant, named iBlueberry, bears a single mutation that shifts both excitation and emission spectra by approximately 40 nm. Furthermore, iBlueberry is four times more photostable than mIFP, rendering it more advantageous for imaging protein dynamics. By tagging iBlueberry to centrin, it has been demonstrated that the fusion protein labels the centrosome in the developing zebrafish embryo. Together with GFP-labeled nucleus and tdTomato-labeled plasma membrane, time-lapse imaging to visualize the dynamics of centrosomes in radial glia neural progenitors in the intact zebrafish brain has been demonstrated. It is further shown that iBlueberry can be used together with mIFP in two-color protein labeling in living cells and in two-color tumor labeling in mice.

Ubiquitous Structural Signaling in Bacterial Phytochromes

The phytochrome family of light-switchable proteins has long been studied by biochemical, spectroscopic and crystallographic means, while a direct probe for global conformational signal propagation has been lacking. Using solution X-ray scattering, we find that the photosensory cores of several bacterial phytochromes undergo similar large-scale structural changes upon red-light excitation. The data establish that phytochromes with ordinary and inverted photocycles share a structural signaling mechanism and that a particular conserved histidine, previously proposed to be involved in signal propagation, in fact tunes photoresponse.

NMR chemical shift pattern changed by ammonium sulfate precipitation in cyanobacterial phytochrome Cph1

Phytochromes are dimeric biliprotein photoreceptors exhibiting characteristic red/far-red photocycles. Full-length cyanobacterial phytochrome Cph1 from Synechocystis 6803 is soluble initially but tends to aggregate in a concentration-dependent manner, hampering attempts to solve the structure using NMR and crystallization methods. Otherwise, the Cph1 sensory module (Cph1Δ2), photochemically indistinguishable from the native protein and used extensively in structural and other studies, can be purified to homogeneity in >10 mg amounts at mM concentrations quite easily. Bulk precipitation of full-length Cph1 by ammonium sulfate (AmS) was expected to allow us to produce samples for solid-state magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR from dilute solutions before significant aggregation began. It was not clear, however, what effects the process of partial dehydration might have on the molecular structure. Here we test this by running solid-state MAS NMR experiments on AmS-precipitated Cph1Δ2 in its red-absorbing Pr state carrying uniformly ¹³C/¹⁵N-labeled phycocyanobilin (PCB) chromophore. 2D ¹³C–¹³C correlation experiments allowed a complete assignment of ¹³C responses of the chromophore. Upon precipitation, ¹³C chemical shifts for most of PCB carbons move upfield, in which we found major changes for C4 and C6 atoms associated with the A-ring positioning. Further, the broad spectral lines seen in the AmS ¹³C spectrum reflect primarily the extensive inhomogeneous broadening presumably due to an increase in the distribution of conformational states in the protein, in which less free water is available to partake in the hydration shells. Our data suggest that the effect of dehydration process indeed leads to changes of electronic structure of the bilin chromophore and a decrease in its mobility within the binding pocket, but not restricted to the protein surface. The extent of the changes induced differs from the freezing process of the solution samples routinely used in previous MAS NMR and crystallographic studies. AmS precipitation might nevertheless provide useful protein structure/functional information for full-length Cph1 in cases where neither X-ray crystallography nor conventional NMR methods are available.