Genetic analysis of cryptochrome in insect magnetosensitivity

Authors: Kyriacou CP, Rosato E.

Year: 2022 Aug 10

Category: Physiology

Journal: Front Physiol

Institution: Frontiers in Physiology

DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.928416

URL: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2022.928416/full

Abstract

Overview

The significance of the earth's magnetic field is highlighted by its impact on the navigational skills and migration patterns of various higher animals, notably birds. Unlike these organisms, Drosophila melanogaster provides a genetic model to analyze responses to magnetic fields under controlled conditions. This study explores insect magnetosensitivity with a focus on Cryptochromes (CRYs), first discovered in Arabidopsis and Drosophila as crucial in circadian photo-entrainment pathways.

Findings

  • Physico-chemical analysis indicates the activation of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) in CRY, leading to a radical pair which exhibits sensitivity to magnetic fields through quantum spin chemistry.
  • Manipulating CRY via gene editing and other methods across several insect species sheds light on unexpected results concerning magnetosensitivity.

Conclusion

This review discusses surprising outcomes of manipulating magnetosensitivity-related genes and their implications, as drawn from recent in vivo and in vitro studies.

cryptochrome magnetosensitivity electromagnetic fields gene editing Drosophila melanogaster circadian rhythms photo-activation
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