Magnetoreception: an unavoidable step for plant evolution?
The geomagnetic field (GMF) is steadily acting on living systems, and influences many biological processes. In animals, the mechanistic origin of the GMF effect has been clarified and cryptochrome has been suggested as a chemical magnetoreceptor. Here we propose a possible role for the GMF variations in plant evolution.
Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, Innovation Centre, Via Quarello 15/A, University of Turin, 10135 Turin, Italy.
Andrea
A
Occhipinti
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Via di Vigna Murata, 605 00143 Rome, Italy.
Angelo
A
De Santis
Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, Innovation Centre, Via Quarello 15/A, University of Turin, 10135 Turin, Italy. Electronic address: massimo.maffei@unito.it.
Massimo E
ME
Maffei
D005075:Biological Evolution; D056931:Cryptochromes / Q000502:physiology*; D008027:Light; D060328:Magnetic Phenomena; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics* / Q000528:radiation effects; D015398:Signal Transduction
D056931:Cryptochromes; D010940:Plant Proteins