Human and Drosophila Cryptochromes Are Light Activated by Flavin Photoreduction in Living Cells
2007
How Animal Cryptochromes Respond to Blue Light
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Nathalie Hoang, Kira E. O'Day
Hypothesis
Do mammalian cryptochromes respond to blue light activation like plant cryptochromes?
Conclusion
Mammalian cryptochromes are capable of responding to blue light in living animals, similar to plant cryptochromes.
Supporting Evidence
- Animal cryptochromes share similar properties with plant cryptochromes in response to blue light.
- Mammalian cryptochromes can undergo light-dependent proteolysis.
- Flavin is the photoreactive pigment in both animal and plant cryptochromes.
Takeaway
This study shows that certain proteins in animals can react to blue light just like those in plants, which helps them keep track of time.
Methodology
The researchers used biophysical techniques and EPR spectroscopy to study the effects of blue light on cryptochromes in living cells.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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