The project produced initial characterization of xanthorhodopsin, a novel carotenoid/retinal protein complex from the extremely halophilic eubacterium Salinibacter ruber, which functions as a light-driven proton pump. Its unique feature is a light-harvesting antenna, not found in any other retinal-based pumps. Fluorescence studies showed that 45% of light quanta absorbed by the carotenoid salinixanthin is transferred to retinal and used for transmembrane proton transport to energize ATP synthesis in the cells. ...
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