Abstract

Overview

Magnetic-field reception in animals and plants is a critical topic, especially regarding cryptochrome-based radical-pair mechanisms.

Research Background

• Historical challenges in understanding magnetoreception in plants include the lack of detailed stimulus-response relationships.

Findings

• Analyzed the sensitivity of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings to weak static magnetic fields generating response curves up to 188 μT.
• Examined expression levels of genes such as rbcl, cab4, pal4, and ef1.
• Found magneto-responsiveness was enhanced under blue light and for certain genes also under red light.
• Identified that cryptochromes may not be the sole sensors to magnetic fields in these seedlings, despite having a significant role.
• Changes in magnetic field direction markedly influenced gene expression and CAB-protein levels.

Conclusion

While the study undercuts the exclusive role of cryptochromes as magnetic sensors, it does not eliminate their potential involvement in the magnetic field reception. Notably, cryptochrome- and phytochrome-mediated responses are influenced by magnetic field strength and orientation.