Optogenetic control of plant growth by a microbial rhodopsin

The expression of a light-gated anion channelrhodopsin from a unicellular algae and a retinal-producing enzyme from a marine bacterium enable green light optogenetic manipulation of plant cells, as demonstrated in pollen tubes. While rhodopsin-based optogenetics has revolutionized neuroscience(1,2), poor expression of opsins and the absence of the essential cofactor all-trans-retinal has complicated the application of rhodopsins in plants. Here, we demonstrate retinal production in plants and improved rhodopsin targeting for green light manipulation of plant cells using the Guillardia theta light-gated anion channelrhodopsin GtACR1(3). Green light induces a massive increase in anion permeability and pronounced membrane potential changes when GtACR1 is expressed, enabling non-invasive manipulation of plant growth and leaf development. Using light-driven anion loss, we could mimic drought conditions and bring about leaf wilting despite sufficient water supply. Expressed in pollen tubes, global GtACR1 activation triggers membrane potential depolarizations due to large anion currents. While global illumination was associated with a reversible growth arrest, local GtACR1 activation at the flanks of the apical dome steers growth direction away from the side with increased anion conductance. These results suggest a crucial role of anion permeability for the guidance of pollen tube tip growth. This plant optogenetic approach could be expanded to create an entire pallet of rhodopsin-based tools(4), greatly facilitating dissection of plant ion-signalling pathways.

Automated summary

The study demonstrates the production of retinal in plants and improved targeting of rhodopsins for green light manipulation of plant cells using the Guillardia theta light-gated anion channelrhodopsin GtACR1. Green light induces an increase in anion permeability and membrane potential changes, allowing non-invasive manipulation of plant growth and leaf development. This plant optogenetic approach could be expanded to create a variety of rhodopsin-based tools for dissecting plant ion-signaling pathways.