Low-Light Dependence of the Magnetic Field Effect on Cryptochromes: Possible Relevance to Plant Ecology
Various responses to static magnetic fields (MF) have been reported in plants, and it has been suggested that the geomagnetic field influences plant physiology. Accordingly, diverse mechanisms have been proposed to mediate MF effects in plants. The currently most probable sensor candidates are crypt...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2018-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Plant Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpls.2018.00121/full |
| _version_ | 1819266605297696768 |
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| author | Jacques Vanderstraeten Philippe Gailly E. Pascal Malkemper E. Pascal Malkemper |
| author_facet | Jacques Vanderstraeten Philippe Gailly E. Pascal Malkemper E. Pascal Malkemper |
| author_sort | Jacques Vanderstraeten |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Various responses to static magnetic fields (MF) have been reported in plants, and it has been suggested that the geomagnetic field influences plant physiology. Accordingly, diverse mechanisms have been proposed to mediate MF effects in plants. The currently most probable sensor candidates are cryptochromes (Cry) which are sensitive to submillitesla MF. Here, we propose a quantitative approach of the MF effect on Cry depending on light intensity, and try to link it to a possible functional role for magnetic sensitivity in plants. Based on a theoretical evaluation and on a review of relevant data on Arabidopsis thaliana Cry 1, we point out that the MF effect on the signaling state of Cry, as well as the possible consequences of that effect on certain phenotypes (growth in particular) show parallel dependences on light intensity, being most prominent at low light levels. Based on these findings, we propose that Cry magnetosensitivity in plants could represent an ecological adaptation which regulates the amount of Cry signaling state under low light conditions. That hypothesis would preferentially be tested by studying sensitive and specific endpoints, such as the expression of clock proteins that are downregulated by Cry, but under light intensities lower than those used so far. Finally, we highlight that the low-light dependence of the MF effect described here could also apply to light-dependent functions of animal Cry, in particular magnetoreception which, from the present evaluation, would be based on the magnetic sensitivity of the photoreduction reaction, like in plants. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-23T21:03:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-591b2751d9734148b30889380728c10c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-462X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-23T21:03:56Z |
| publishDate | 2018-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Plant Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-591b2751d9734148b30889380728c10c2022-12-21T17:31:17ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2018-02-01910.3389/fpls.2018.00121331214Low-Light Dependence of the Magnetic Field Effect on Cryptochromes: Possible Relevance to Plant EcologyJacques Vanderstraeten0Philippe Gailly1E. Pascal Malkemper2E. Pascal Malkemper3Environmental and Work Health Research Center, School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, BelgiumInstitute of Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, BelgiumDepartment of General Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, GermanyDepartment of Wildlife Management, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Praha, CzechiaVarious responses to static magnetic fields (MF) have been reported in plants, and it has been suggested that the geomagnetic field influences plant physiology. Accordingly, diverse mechanisms have been proposed to mediate MF effects in plants. The currently most probable sensor candidates are cryptochromes (Cry) which are sensitive to submillitesla MF. Here, we propose a quantitative approach of the MF effect on Cry depending on light intensity, and try to link it to a possible functional role for magnetic sensitivity in plants. Based on a theoretical evaluation and on a review of relevant data on Arabidopsis thaliana Cry 1, we point out that the MF effect on the signaling state of Cry, as well as the possible consequences of that effect on certain phenotypes (growth in particular) show parallel dependences on light intensity, being most prominent at low light levels. Based on these findings, we propose that Cry magnetosensitivity in plants could represent an ecological adaptation which regulates the amount of Cry signaling state under low light conditions. That hypothesis would preferentially be tested by studying sensitive and specific endpoints, such as the expression of clock proteins that are downregulated by Cry, but under light intensities lower than those used so far. Finally, we highlight that the low-light dependence of the MF effect described here could also apply to light-dependent functions of animal Cry, in particular magnetoreception which, from the present evaluation, would be based on the magnetic sensitivity of the photoreduction reaction, like in plants.https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpls.2018.00121/fullArabidopsis thalianaclock proteinsgeomagnetic fieldlight intensitymagnetoreceptionplant growth |
| spellingShingle | Jacques Vanderstraeten Philippe Gailly E. Pascal Malkemper E. Pascal Malkemper Low-Light Dependence of the Magnetic Field Effect on Cryptochromes: Possible Relevance to Plant Ecology Frontiers in Plant Science Arabidopsis thaliana clock proteins geomagnetic field light intensity magnetoreception plant growth |
| title | Low-Light Dependence of the Magnetic Field Effect on Cryptochromes: Possible Relevance to Plant Ecology |
| title_full | Low-Light Dependence of the Magnetic Field Effect on Cryptochromes: Possible Relevance to Plant Ecology |
| title_fullStr | Low-Light Dependence of the Magnetic Field Effect on Cryptochromes: Possible Relevance to Plant Ecology |
| title_full_unstemmed | Low-Light Dependence of the Magnetic Field Effect on Cryptochromes: Possible Relevance to Plant Ecology |
| title_short | Low-Light Dependence of the Magnetic Field Effect on Cryptochromes: Possible Relevance to Plant Ecology |
| title_sort | low light dependence of the magnetic field effect on cryptochromes possible relevance to plant ecology |
| topic | Arabidopsis thaliana clock proteins geomagnetic field light intensity magnetoreception plant growth |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpls.2018.00121/full |
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