Potential applications of bacteriorhodopsin mutants

Abstract

Bacteriorhodopsin (BR), a model system in biotechnology, is a G-protein dependent trans membrane protein which serves as a light driven proton pump in the cell membrane of Halobacterium salinarum. Due to the linkage of retinal to the protein, it seems colored and has numbers of versatile properties. As in vitro culture of the Halobacteria is very difficult, and isolation is time consuming and usually inefficient, production of genetically modified constructs of the protein is essential. There are three important characteristics based on protein catalytic cycle and molecular functions of photo-electric, photochromic and proton transporting, which makes this protein as a strategic molecule with potential applications in biotechnology. Such applications include protein films, used in artificial retinal implants, light modulators, three-dimensional optical memories, color photochromic sensors, photochromic and electrochromic papers and ink, biological camouflage and photo detectors for biodefense and non-defense purposes.

Isolation and Taxonomic Characterization of Novel Haloarchaeal Isolates From Indian Solar Saltern: A Brief Review on Distribution of Bacteriorhodopsins and V-Type ATPases in Haloarchaea

“…Microorganisms such as haloarchaea with their unique features have attracted the attention of researchers to investigate them for the generation of energy (Nadella and Hernandez Baltazar, 2018 ). These microbes code for bacteriorhodopsin protein (BR), which has a unique property of light-driven proton-pumping activity and hence finds uses in several applications, including solar cells, optical filters, hydrogen production, biosensors, optogenetics, and memory storage devices (Bogomolni et al, 1976 ; Saeedi et al, 2012 ; Li et al, 2018 ). BR can be potentially used to harvest abundant solar energy to produce electricity or in the photolysis of water to generate hydrogen fuel to meet future ever-increasing energy demands (Sediroglu et al, 1998 ).…”

Biomimetic Membranes with Transmembrane Proteins: State-of-the-Art in Transmembrane Protein Applications

“…For additional engineering applications, bR can be applied in a variety of electrical devices in industry, including batteries [168,169], memory [170], and biodefense devices [171,172,173]. In general, bR is difficult to isolate from the membrane and is therefore applied in the form of a purple membrane [174,175,176,177,178].…”

Energy Transfer Induced by Dye Encapsulation in a Hybrid Nanoparticle‐Purple Membrane Reversible Assembly

“…In contrast, the cytoplasmic leaflet is comprised of mobile inter‐trimer phospholipids that are greatly impacted by external conditions . While bR (a light activated proton pump) has been explored due to its important characteristics based on photoelectronic, photochromic, and proton transportation molecular functions facilitating potential applications in light harvesting, artificial retina, batteries, memory, and beyond, this study capitalizes on the anisotropic mechanical properties of the PM assembly where one side of the membrane is mechanically robust while the other exhibits weak intermolecular interactions. Herein, we exploit the tailorable mechanical properties of PM in the development of novel stimuli responsive materials that can be pH‐triggered for the reversible assembly of 3D capsules.…”