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Animal Cryptochromes Mediate Magnetoreception By An Unconventional Photochemical Mechanism, Robert Gegear, Lauren Foley, Amy Casselman, Steven Reppert
Animal Cryptochromes Mediate Magnetoreception By An Unconventional Photochemical Mechanism, Robert Gegear, Lauren Foley, Amy Casselman, Steven Reppert
Robert J. Gegear
Understanding the biophysical basis of animal magnetoreception has been one of the greatest challenges in sensory biology. Recently it was discovered that the light-dependent magnetic sense of Drosophila melanogaster is mediated by the ultraviolet (UV)-A/blue light photoreceptor cryptochrome (Cry). Here we show, using a transgenic approach, that the photoreceptive, Drosophila-like type 1 Cry and the transcriptionally repressive, vertebrate-like type 2 Cry of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) can both function in the magnetoreception system of Drosophila and require UV-A/blue light (wavelength below 420 nm) to do so. The lack of magnetic responses for both Cry types at wavelengths above 420 …
Human Cryptochrome Exhibits Light-Dependent Magnetosensitivity, Lauren Foley, Robert Gegear, Steven Reppert
Human Cryptochrome Exhibits Light-Dependent Magnetosensitivity, Lauren Foley, Robert Gegear, Steven Reppert
Robert J. Gegear
Humans are not believed to have a magnetic sense, even though many animals use the Earth's magnetic field for orientation and navigation. One model of magnetosensing in animals proposes that geomagnetic fields are perceived by light-sensitive chemical reactions involving the flavoprotein cryptochrome (CRY). Here we show using a transgenic approach that human CRY2, which is heavily expressed in the retina, can function as a magnetosensor in the magnetoreception system of Drosophila and that it does so in a light-dependent manner. The results show that human CRY2 has the molecular capability to function as a light-sensitive magnetosensor and reopen an area …