Channelrhodopsins (ChRs) are directly light-gated ion channels that function as sensory photoreceptors in flagellated green algae, allowing these algae to identify optimal light conditions for growth. In neuroscience, ChRs constitute the most versatile tools for the light-induced activation of selected cells or cell types with unprecedented precision in time and space. In recent years, many ChR variants have been discovered or engineered, and countless electrical and spectroscopic studies of these ChRs have been carried out, both in host cells and on purified recombinant proteins. With significant support from a high-resolution 3D structure and from molecular dynamics calculations, scientists are now able to develop models that conclusively explain ChR activation and ion conductance on the basis of chromophore isomerization, structural changes, proton transfer reactions, and water rearrangement on timescales ranging from femtoseconds to minutes.

中文翻译：

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海豚视紫红质的生物物理学。

通道视紫红质（ChR）是直接光控的离子通道，在鞭毛状绿藻中起感觉光感受器的作用，使这些藻类能够识别生长的最佳光照条件。在神经科学中，ChR构成了用于光诱导选定细胞或细胞类型的光诱导激活的最通用的工具，具有前所未有的时空精度。近年来，已经发现或工程化了许多ChR变体，并且已经在宿主细胞和纯化的重组蛋白中对这些ChR进行了无数的电学和光谱学研究。在高分辨率3D结构和分子动力学计算的大力支持下，科学家们现在能够开发基于生色团异构化，结构变化，最终解释ChR活化和离子电导的模型。