Kalium channelrhodopsins are natural light-gated potassium channels that mediate optogenetic inhibition.

ABSTRACT: Channelrhodopsins are used widely for optical control of neurons, in which they generate photoinduced proton, sodium or chloride influx. Potassium (K⁺) is central to neuron electrophysiology, yet no natural K⁺-selective light-gated channel has been identified. Here, we report kalium channelrhodopsins (KCRs) from Hyphochytrium catenoides. Previously known gated potassium channels are mainly ligand- or voltage-gated and share a conserved K⁺-selectivity filter. KCRs differ in that they are light-gated and have independently evolved an alternative K⁺ selectivity mechanism. The KCRs are potent, highly selective of K⁺ over Na⁺, and open in less than 1 ms following photoactivation. The permeability ratio P_K/P_Na

SUBMITTER: Govorunova EG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9854242 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature