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Rhodopsin-like Protein from the Purple Membrane of Halobacterium halobium

Nature New Biology volume 233, pages 149–152 (1971)Cite this article

Abstract

HALOPHILIC bacteria require high concentrations of sodium chloride and lower concentrations of KCl and MgCl2 for growth. The cell membrane dissociates into fragments of varying size when the salt is removed1. One characteristic fragment—termed the “purple membrane” because of its characteristic deep purple colour—has been isolated in relatively pure form from Halobacterium halobium2. We can now show that the purple colour is due to retinal bound to an opsin-like protein, the only protein present in this membrane fragment (see also ref. 3).

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Author notes

  1. DIETER OESTERHELT

    Present address: Institut für Biochemie der Universität München, 8, München, 2, Karlstrasse 23

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California, 94122

    DIETER OESTERHELT & WALTHER STOECKENIUS

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  1. DIETER OESTERHELT
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  2. WALTHER STOECKENIUS
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OESTERHELT, D., STOECKENIUS, W. Rhodopsin-like Protein from the Purple Membrane of Halobacterium halobium. Nature New Biology 233, 149–152 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio233149a0

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