Cryptochrome mediates light-dependent magnetosensitivity in Drosophila.
Although many animals use the Earth's magnetic field for orientation and navigation, the precise biophysical mechanisms underlying magnetic sensing have been elusive. One theoretical model proposes that geomagnetic fields are perceived by chemical reactions involving specialized photoreceptors....
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Journal article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2008
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| _version_ | 1797061839597600768 |
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| author | Gegear, R Casselman, A Waddell, S Reppert, S |
| author_facet | Gegear, R Casselman, A Waddell, S Reppert, S |
| author_sort | Gegear, R |
| collection | OXFORD |
| description | Although many animals use the Earth's magnetic field for orientation and navigation, the precise biophysical mechanisms underlying magnetic sensing have been elusive. One theoretical model proposes that geomagnetic fields are perceived by chemical reactions involving specialized photoreceptors. However, the specific photoreceptor involved in such magnetoreception has not been demonstrated conclusively in any animal. Here we show that the ultraviolet-A/blue-light photoreceptor cryptochrome (Cry) is necessary for light-dependent magnetosensitive responses in Drosophila melanogaster. In a binary-choice behavioural assay for magnetosensitivity, wild-type flies show significant naive and trained responses to a magnetic field under full-spectrum light ( approximately 300-700 nm) but do not respond to the field when wavelengths in the Cry-sensitive, ultraviolet-A/blue-light part of the spectrum (<420 nm) are blocked. Notably, Cry-deficient cry(0) and cry(b) flies do not show either naive or trained responses to a magnetic field under full-spectrum light. Moreover, Cry-dependent magnetosensitivity does not require a functioning circadian clock. Our work provides, to our knowledge, the first genetic evidence for a Cry-based magnetosensitive system in any animal. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-06T20:36:54Z |
| format | Journal article |
| id | oxford-uuid:32f1c0c9-1d57-48a5-a81a-0f86cc1aca30 |
| institution | University of Oxford |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-06T20:36:54Z |
| publishDate | 2008 |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | oxford-uuid:32f1c0c9-1d57-48a5-a81a-0f86cc1aca302022-03-26T13:17:11ZCryptochrome mediates light-dependent magnetosensitivity in Drosophila.Journal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:32f1c0c9-1d57-48a5-a81a-0f86cc1aca30EnglishSymplectic Elements at Oxford2008Gegear, RCasselman, AWaddell, SReppert, SAlthough many animals use the Earth's magnetic field for orientation and navigation, the precise biophysical mechanisms underlying magnetic sensing have been elusive. One theoretical model proposes that geomagnetic fields are perceived by chemical reactions involving specialized photoreceptors. However, the specific photoreceptor involved in such magnetoreception has not been demonstrated conclusively in any animal. Here we show that the ultraviolet-A/blue-light photoreceptor cryptochrome (Cry) is necessary for light-dependent magnetosensitive responses in Drosophila melanogaster. In a binary-choice behavioural assay for magnetosensitivity, wild-type flies show significant naive and trained responses to a magnetic field under full-spectrum light ( approximately 300-700 nm) but do not respond to the field when wavelengths in the Cry-sensitive, ultraviolet-A/blue-light part of the spectrum (<420 nm) are blocked. Notably, Cry-deficient cry(0) and cry(b) flies do not show either naive or trained responses to a magnetic field under full-spectrum light. Moreover, Cry-dependent magnetosensitivity does not require a functioning circadian clock. Our work provides, to our knowledge, the first genetic evidence for a Cry-based magnetosensitive system in any animal. |
| spellingShingle | Gegear, R Casselman, A Waddell, S Reppert, S Cryptochrome mediates light-dependent magnetosensitivity in Drosophila. |
| title | Cryptochrome mediates light-dependent magnetosensitivity in Drosophila. |
| title_full | Cryptochrome mediates light-dependent magnetosensitivity in Drosophila. |
| title_fullStr | Cryptochrome mediates light-dependent magnetosensitivity in Drosophila. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cryptochrome mediates light-dependent magnetosensitivity in Drosophila. |
| title_short | Cryptochrome mediates light-dependent magnetosensitivity in Drosophila. |
| title_sort | cryptochrome mediates light dependent magnetosensitivity in drosophila |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gegearr cryptochromemediateslightdependentmagnetosensitivityindrosophila AT casselmana cryptochromemediateslightdependentmagnetosensitivityindrosophila AT waddells cryptochromemediateslightdependentmagnetosensitivityindrosophila AT repperts cryptochromemediateslightdependentmagnetosensitivityindrosophila |