Cryptochrome expression in avian UV cones: revisiting the role of CRY1 as magnetoreceptor
Abstract Cryptochromes (CRY) have been proposed as putative magnetoreceptors in vertebrates. Localisation of CRY1 in the UV cones in the retinas of birds suggested that it could be the candidate magnetoreceptor. However, recent findings argue against this possibility. CRY1 is a type II cryptochrome,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-92056-8 |
| _version_ | 1818735731759120384 |
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| author | Atticus Pinzon-Rodriguez Rachel Muheim |
| author_facet | Atticus Pinzon-Rodriguez Rachel Muheim |
| author_sort | Atticus Pinzon-Rodriguez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Cryptochromes (CRY) have been proposed as putative magnetoreceptors in vertebrates. Localisation of CRY1 in the UV cones in the retinas of birds suggested that it could be the candidate magnetoreceptor. However, recent findings argue against this possibility. CRY1 is a type II cryptochrome, a subtype of cryptochromes that may not be inherently photosensitive, and it exhibits a clear circadian expression in the retinas of birds. Here, we reassessed the localisation and distribution of CRY1 in the retina of the zebra finch. Zebra finches have a light-dependent magnetic compass based on a radical-pair mechanism, similar to migratory birds. We found that CRY1 colocalised with the UV/V opsin (SWS1) in the outer segments of UV cones, but restricted to the tip of the segments. CRY1 was found in all UV cones across the entire retina, with the highest densities near the fovea. Pre-exposure of birds to different wavelengths of light did not result in any difference in CRY1 detection, suggesting that CRY1 did not undergo any detectable functional changes as result of light activation. Considering that CRY1 is likely not involved in magnetoreception, our findings open the possibility for an involvement in different, yet undetermined functions in the avian UV/V cones. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T00:25:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-050136fb3d83492a9ec7146a960de2fb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T00:25:55Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-050136fb3d83492a9ec7146a960de2fb2022-12-21T21:27:15ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222021-06-0111111310.1038/s41598-021-92056-8Cryptochrome expression in avian UV cones: revisiting the role of CRY1 as magnetoreceptorAtticus Pinzon-Rodriguez0Rachel Muheim1Department of Biology, Lund UniversityDepartment of Biology, Lund UniversityAbstract Cryptochromes (CRY) have been proposed as putative magnetoreceptors in vertebrates. Localisation of CRY1 in the UV cones in the retinas of birds suggested that it could be the candidate magnetoreceptor. However, recent findings argue against this possibility. CRY1 is a type II cryptochrome, a subtype of cryptochromes that may not be inherently photosensitive, and it exhibits a clear circadian expression in the retinas of birds. Here, we reassessed the localisation and distribution of CRY1 in the retina of the zebra finch. Zebra finches have a light-dependent magnetic compass based on a radical-pair mechanism, similar to migratory birds. We found that CRY1 colocalised with the UV/V opsin (SWS1) in the outer segments of UV cones, but restricted to the tip of the segments. CRY1 was found in all UV cones across the entire retina, with the highest densities near the fovea. Pre-exposure of birds to different wavelengths of light did not result in any difference in CRY1 detection, suggesting that CRY1 did not undergo any detectable functional changes as result of light activation. Considering that CRY1 is likely not involved in magnetoreception, our findings open the possibility for an involvement in different, yet undetermined functions in the avian UV/V cones.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-92056-8 |
| spellingShingle | Atticus Pinzon-Rodriguez Rachel Muheim Cryptochrome expression in avian UV cones: revisiting the role of CRY1 as magnetoreceptor Scientific Reports |
| title | Cryptochrome expression in avian UV cones: revisiting the role of CRY1 as magnetoreceptor |
| title_full | Cryptochrome expression in avian UV cones: revisiting the role of CRY1 as magnetoreceptor |
| title_fullStr | Cryptochrome expression in avian UV cones: revisiting the role of CRY1 as magnetoreceptor |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cryptochrome expression in avian UV cones: revisiting the role of CRY1 as magnetoreceptor |
| title_short | Cryptochrome expression in avian UV cones: revisiting the role of CRY1 as magnetoreceptor |
| title_sort | cryptochrome expression in avian uv cones revisiting the role of cry1 as magnetoreceptor |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-92056-8 |
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