Functional characterization of xanthorhodopsin in Salinivibrio socompensis, a novel halophile isolated from modern stromatolites

A putative xanthorhodopsin-encoding gene, XR34 , was found in the genome of the moderately halophilic gammaproteobacterium Salinivibrio socompensis S34, isolated from modern stromatolites found on the shore of Laguna Socompa (3570 m), Argentina Puna. XR-encoding genes were clustered together with genes encoding X-carotene, retinal (vitamin-A aldehyde), and carotenoid biosynthesis enzymes while the carotene ketolase gene critical for the salinixanthin antenna compound was absent. To identify its functional behavior, we herein overexpressed and characterized this intriguing microbial rhodopsin. Recombinant XR34 showed all the salient features of canonical microbial rhodopsin and covalently bound retinal as a functional chromophore with λ max = 561 nm (ε max ca. 60,000 M −1 cm −1 ). Two canonical counterions with p K values of around 6 and 3 were identified by pH titration of the recombinant protein. With a recovery time of approximately half an hour in the dark, XR34 shows light–dark adaptation shifting the absorption maximum from 551 to 561 nm. Laser-flash induced photochemistry at pH 9 (deprotonated primary counterion) identified a photocycle starting with a K-like intermediate, followed by an M-state ( λ max ca. 400 nm, deprotonated Schiff base), and a final long wavelength-absorbing N- or O-like intermediate before returning to the parental 561 nm-state. Initiating the photocycle at pH 5 (protonated counterion) yields only bathochromic intermediates, due to the lacking capacity of the counterion to accept the Schiff base proton. Illumination of the membrane-embedded protein yielded a capacitive transport current. The presence of the M-intermediate under these conditions was demonstrated by a blue light-induced shunt process. Graphical abstract