Microbial rhodopsin-based optogenetics has been widely applied to diverse mammalian and plant cell types for controlling membrane potential mediated responses. However, trafficking of optogenetically active protein to the desired subcellular organelle is still a major concern in optogenetic field. This could be resolved by studying the trafficking mechanism of optogenetically active protein in the native system. Current study is focused on the trafficking of two of the microbial rhodopsins named Chalmyopsin5 and Chlamyopsin6 in a green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Chlamyopsin5 and Chlamyopsin6 are modular in nature and possess rhodopsin, histidine kinase, response regulator and cyclase domain in tandem. Immunolocalization of Chlamyopsin5 and Chlamyopsin6 in wild strain suggests their different subcellular localization; Chlamyopsin5 in eyespot and Chlamyopsin6 in flagella. Extensive immunocytochemistry of Chlamyopsin5 and Chlamyopsin6 was performed in different intraflagellar transport (IFT) components-defective strains of Chlamydomonas to dissect their trafficking mode to the destined subcellular compartment. Our results indicated the trafficking of Chlamyopsin5 to the eyespot to be independent of IFT machinery while Chlamyopsin6 to the flagella to be IFT dependent. Further, we demonstrate that IFT88 and IFT52 stabilizes Chlamyopsin6 and IFT20 interacts with Chlamyopsin6 in Chlamydomonas. Protein interactome of Chlamyopsin5 and Chlamyopsin6 indicate their role in nitrogen assimilation, gametogenesis and photoprotection in co-ordination with other photoreceptors. Collectively, our study enabled us to understand the targeting of Chlamyopsins to the subcellular compartment (eyespot and flagella). This study is important to expand optogenetic application of microbial type modular rhodopsin with histidine kinase and response regular. Further research in this direction is required to resolve the current challenge of targeting of optogenetic protein to desired subcellular compartment.

Phototropin, a blue-light sensing serine/threonine kinase, plays a pivotal role in regulating diverse photophysiological processes in both plants and algae. In Chlamydomonas reinhardtii , phototropin (CrPhot) localizes to the eyespot and flagella, coordinating key cellular functions such as phototaxis, photosynthesis, gametogenesis, and chlorophyll biosynthesis. While previous research has identified phototropin interactions with signaling proteins such as channelrhodopsins and light-harvesting complex proteins, many aspects of its interaction network and regulatory mechanisms remain unresolved. In this study, we explored novel interacting protein partners of phototropin and their roles in modulating its regulatory functions in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii . Employing a suite of intraflagellar transport (IFT) mutants of C. reinhardtii such as IFT172, IFT52, IFT88, IFT139, kinesin/dynein, CEP290 etc., we elucidate that phototropin localization within the flagella and eyespot is IFT-mediated. Our study highlights interaction of phototropin with other photoreceptors-channelrhodopsins (ChR1 and ChR2), chlamyopsin 6, LOV-histidine kinases (LOV-HK1, LOV-HK2) and signaling protein-14-3-3. CRISPR-Cas9 knockouts of phototropin showed reduced ChR1, 14- 3-3 levels and exhibited impaired photomotility. Moreover, two LOV-domain containing histidine kinases, LOV-HK1 and LOV-HK2, were identified in C. reinhardtii . Gene expression of LOV-HK1 and LOV-HK2 were found to be elevated in UV-light in C. reinhardtii and their genes expression was found to be altered in phototropin CRISPR-Cas9 knockouts. This study provides new insights into phototropin signalosome and highlights molecular mechanisms governing its function. The research outcomes advances our understanding of phototropin trafficking and signal modulation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii , and sets the stage for further exploration into the broader physiological roles of phototropin in cellular responses. Graphical Phototropin, a blue-light receptor in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii , localizes to the flagella and eyespot, mediates phototaxis and photosynthesis. Its trafficking is mediated by intraflagellar transport (IFT) machinery, with mutations in IFT components (kinesin, dynein, IFT172, IFT52, IFT88, IFT139, CEP290) disrupting phototropin localization. Phototropin interacts with other photoreceptors like channelrhodospins (ChR1/2), chlamyopsin 6, LOV-histidine kinases (LOV-HK1, LOV-HK2) and signaling proteins (14-3-3), coordinating light-driven responses. These findings underscore the details of phototropin trafficking and phototropin signaling impacting light-induced physiological processes in C. reinhardtii . Highlights: • Phototropin localizes in eyepot and flagella in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii . • Intraflagellar transport (IFT) mutants of C. reinhardtii suggest role of different IFT proteins in phototropin trafficking and localization. • Phototropin interacts with other photoreceptors (ChR1 & ChR2, COP6, LOV-HK1 & LOV-HK2) and signaling proteins (14-3-3), contributing to various physiological processes. • CRISPR-Cas9 knockouts of phototropin showed reduced 14-3-3 protein content and photomotility response in C. reinhardtii .

Light sensing proteins, photoreceptor, coordinate with photosynthetic machinery, influencing both photosynthetic efficiency and several metabolic outcomes. This work deals with bottleneck issue of astaxanthin production from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. We report a non-genetic, illumination-based strategy for biomanufacturing of astaxanthin under optimised blue light illumination in C. reinhardtii. Notably, first time ever, we identified and report astaxanthin synthesis-associated BGC in C. reinhardtii using plantiSMASH analysis. We discover experimental evidences for phototropin-modulated biosynthetic gene clusters (BGC)-mediated metabolite production in C. reinhardtii . We established that the prolonged exposure to fine-tuned blue light illumination substantially enhances the biomanufacturing of astaxanthin (1.6 times compared to red light) and pigments via the phototropin. It suggests that fine-tuned illumination conditions modulate molecular components in specific metabolite production. We are providing biochemical, genetic, transcriptomic, quantitative proteomics and systems biology evidences for opto-biomanufacturing of bioactive from green lineage via modulation of phototropin network with artificial illumination (without any genetic modification). By integrating data-driven analytics and systems biology-based computational pipeline, we elucidate the functional crosstalk between biosynthetic gene clusters with the phototropin and carotenoid metabolism synthesis pathway in the green lineage (terrestrial alga and higher plants). Thus, highlighting a new opto-biotechnology approach in metabolite production from various phototrophic organisms. These results establish a new avenue for opto-biomanufacturing strategies to generate bioactive molecules from microorganisms and other green lineages simply by illumination. Highlights Opto-biomanufacturing of astaxanthin in C. reinhardtii is achieved simply by illumination. Biosynthetic gene clusters of metabolite production are also controlled by light. Photoreceptor-based opto-biomanufacturing of valuable bioactives is established. Opto-biomanufacturing opens avenues for bioactive production in various organisms.