Shunya Murakoshi

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