Structural basis for ion selectivity in potassium-selective channelrhodopsins.

KCR channelrhodopsins (K-selective light-gated ion channels) have received attention as potential inhibitory optogenetic tools but more broadly pose a fundamental mystery regarding how their K selectivity is achieved. Here, we present 2.5-2.

Structure of a retinal chromophore of dark-adapted middle rhodopsin as studied by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Middle rhodopsin (MR) found from the archaeon is evolutionarily located between two different types of rhodopsins, bacteriorhodopsin (BR) and sensory rhodopsin II (SRII). Some isomers of the chromophore retinal and the photochemical reaction of MR are markedly different from those of BR and SRII. In this study, to obtain the structural information regarding its active center (i.

Effect of nitrate on nodule and root growth of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.).

The application of combined nitrogen, especially nitrate, to soybean plants is known to strongly inhibit nodule formation, growth and nitrogen fixation. In the present study, we measured the effects of supplying 5 mM nitrate on the growth of nodules, primary root, and lateral roots under light at 28 °C or dark at 18 °C conditions. Photographs of the nodulated roots were periodically taken by a digital camera at 1-h intervals, and the size of the nodules was measured with newly developed computer software.