Ambient light alleviates retinal neurodegeneration in mice by powering mitochondria via the engineered optoenergetic rhodopsin.

ABSTRACT: The mitochondrial proton motive force (pmf) is a critical driver of cellular energy production and influences various cellular processes. Dysregulation of pmf is implicated in a range of diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, mitochondrial diseases, cancer and aging-related pathologies. Currently, an efficient strategy to rescue ATP production and mitigate reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation under conditions of energy deprivation is lacking. Here, we engineered a light-sensitive, mitochondria-targeting proton-pumping rhodopsin (PPR), mt-EcGAPR, capable of generating an efficient pmf for ATP synthesis while simultaneously mitigating reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation during stress and decreasing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Owing to its transparency to visible light,

SUBMITTER: Yang RZ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12572652 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature