Effects of an electric field on sleep quality and life span mediated by ultraviolet (UV)-A/blue light photoreceptor CRYPTOCHROME in Drosophila

Abstract

Overview

Although electric fields (EF) exert beneficial effects on animal wound healing, differentiation, cancers and rheumatoid arthritis, the molecular mechanisms of these effects have remained unclear for approximately half a century. Therefore, this research aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying EF effects in Drosophila melanogaster as a genetic animal model.

Findings

• The sleep quality of wild type (WT) flies was improved when exposed to a 50-Hz (35 kV/m) constant electric field during the day time, but not during the night time.
• This effect was undetectable in cryptochrome mutant (cryb) flies.
• Exposure to a 50-Hz electric field under low nutrient conditions elongated the lifespan of male and female WT flies by approximately 18%, but not of several cry mutants and cry RNAi strains.
• Metabolome analysis showed that the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content was higher in intact WT than cry gene mutant strains exposed to an electric field.
• A putative magnetoreceptor protein and UV-A/blue light photoreceptor, CRYPTOCHROME (CRY), is involved in electric field (EF) receptors in animals.

Conclusion

The findings provide previously unknown genetic evidence of a CRY-based system sensitive to electric fields in animals, emphasizing a significant connection to potential health risks.