REVIEW: Mechanism of Ion Translocation by Na⁺-Rhodopsin

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Alexander V. Bogachev^1,a*, Alexander A. Baykov¹, Yulia V. Bertsova¹, and Mahir D. Mamedov¹

¹Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received April 3, 2022; Revised May 10, 2022; Accepted May 20, 2022

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This review provides a brief description of the structure and transport function of the recently discovered family of retinal-containing Na⁺-translocating rhodopsins. The main emphasis is put on the kinetics of generation of electric potential difference in the membrane during a single transporter turnover. According to the proposed transport mechanism of Na⁺-rhodopsin, the driving force for the Na⁺ translocation from the cytoplasm is the local electric field created by the H⁺ movement from the Schiff base.

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KEY WORDS: Na⁺-translocating rhodopsin, light energy conversion, retinal, ionic pump, cation transport

DOI: 10.1134/S0006297922080053

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