Photoreversible Reactions of Visual and Microbial Rhodopsins.

The review discusses experimental findings and theoretical studies of photoreversible transformations of retinal-containing proteins (rhodopsins). Understanding these processes is essential for elucidating the mechanisms of photochemical and conformational transformations of these proteins. Particular emphasis is placed on visual rhodopsins, as photoreversibility plays a crucial role in its physiological regeneration in the rhabdoms of invertebrates and the cone photoreceptors of the vertebrate retina. In recent years, interest in the mechanisms of photoreversible reactions in retinal-containing proteins has grown substantially, driven by their potential applications as active components in optoelectronic devices and biosensors.