Seeing The Light

An artificial mimic of a key light-sensitive molecule has been made by scientists at the University of Bristol. The work, published in Science, could lead to new ways of building light-sensitive artificial cells.

Professor Jonathan Clayden and colleagues in Bristol’s School of Chemistry, along with collaborators at the Universities of Manchester and Hull, created an artificial mimic of rhodopsin, a protein that resides in cell membranes in the retina. The absorption of light by rhodopsin is the first step in the biochemistry of vision.

Using molecular design features taken from some antibiotic molecules that also bind to membranes, the researchers were able to design and build a molecule that finds its way into a membrane and switches between different shapes in response to light of specific wavelengths.

The work revealed that unlike many natural molecules, these artificial structures have similar properties in solution and in membranes, making the prediction of their behaviour much more reliable.

Image shows a researcher shining a blue light onto a test tube.
Scientists mimic the way the eye perceives light using a synthetic molecule. Credit: School of Chemistry, University of Bristol.

Professor Clayden said: “This is the first time an artificial mimic of rhodopsin has been created: a discovery that could lead to new ways of building light-sensitive artificial cells and could allow scientists to bypass the usual communication mechanisms used by cells.”

About this neuroscience research

Source: Philippa Walker – University of Bristol
Image Credit: The image is credited to School of Chemistry, University of Bristol.
Original Research: Abstract for “Conformational photoswitching of a synthetic peptide foldamer bound within a phospholipid bilayer” by Matteo De Poli, Wojciech Zawodny, Ophélie Quinonero, Mark Lorch, Simon J. Webb and Jonathan Clayden in Science. Published online March 31 2016 doi:10.1126/science.aad8352


Abstract

Conformational photoswitching of a synthetic peptide foldamer bound within a phospholipid bilayer

The dynamic properties of foldamers, synthetic molecules that mimic folded biomolecules, have mainly been explored in free solution. Here we report on the design, synthesis, and conformational behavior of photoresponsive foldamers bound in a phospholipid bilayer akin to a biological membrane phase. These molecules contain a chromophore, which can be switched between two configurations by different wavelengths of light, attached to a helical oligoamide that both promotes membrane insertion and communicates conformational change along its length. Light-induced structural changes in the chromophore are translated into global conformational changes, detected by monitoring the solid state 19F nuclear magnetic resonance signals of a remote fluorine-containing residue located 1 to 2 nm away. The behavior of the foldamers in the membrane phase is similar to that of analogous compounds in organic solvents.

“Conformational photoswitching of a synthetic peptide foldamer bound within a phospholipid bilayer” by Matteo De Poli, Wojciech Zawodny, Ophélie Quinonero, Mark Lorch, Simon J. Webb and Jonathan Clayden in Science. Published online March 31 2016 doi: 10.1126/science.aad8352

Feel free to share this neuroscience news.
Join our Newsletter
I agree to have my personal information transferred to AWeber for Neuroscience Newsletter ( more information )
Sign up to receive our recent neuroscience headlines and summaries sent to your email once a day, totally free.
We hate spam and only use your email to contact you about newsletters. You can cancel your subscription any time.