title: Human cryptochrome exhibits light-dependent magnetosensitivity.
abstract: Humans are not believed to have a magnetic sense, even though many animals use the Earth's magnetic field for orientation and navigation. One model of magnetosensing in animals proposes that geomagnetic fields are perceived by light-sensitive chemical reactions involving the flavoprotein cryptochrome (CRY). Here we show using a transgenic approach that human CRY2, which is heavily expressed in the retina, can function as a magnetosensor in the magnetoreception system of Drosophila and that it does so in a light-dependent manner. The results show that human CRY2 has the molecular capability to function as a light-sensitive magnetosensor and reopen an area of sensory biology that is ready for further exploration in humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA.
authors.forename: Lauren E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Foley
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Gegear
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Reppert
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D056931:Cryptochromes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004330:Drosophila; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008280:Magnetics; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: C538966:CRY2 protein, human; D056931:Cryptochromes