Tatsuki Tanaka

This study determines the cryo-EM structure of SfApuR2, an ultraviolet-sensitive anion-conducting rhodopsin, and identifies structural features that explain its UV sensitivity and gating mechanism.

The paper identifies widespread xanthorhodopsin genes in cyanobacteria and characterizes a unique variant from an Antarctic cyanobacterium that binds hydroxylated lutein, enhancing light-harvesting efficiency in extreme environments.

The paper reports cryo-EM structures of two methanogenic Schizorhodopsins, revealing distinct proton transport mechanisms and structural adaptations for thermal stability.

The paper reports the cryo-EM structure of a blue-shifted channelrhodopsin from Klebsormidium nitens and develops mutants with blue-shifted action spectra.

The paper reports light energy transfer from hydroxylated carotenoids to heimdallarchaeial rhodopsins in marine archaea, showing light-harvesting capabilities in archaea similar to bacterial rhodopsins.

The paper reports cryo-EM structures of the ETB receptor bound to the lasso peptide RES-701-3, revealing its inverse agonist mechanism through hydrophobic interactions and conformational stabilization.