title: Cryptochrome-dependent magnetic field effect on seizure response in Drosophila larvae.
abstract: The mechanisms that facilitate animal magnetoreception have both fascinated and confounded scientists for decades, and its precise biophysical origin remains unclear. Among the proposed primary magnetic sensors is the flavoprotein, cryptochrome, which is thought to provide geomagnetic information via a quantum effect in a light-initiated radical pair reaction. Despite recent advances in the radical pair model of magnetoreception from theoretical, molecular and animal behaviour studies, very little is known of a possible signal transduction mechanism. We report a substantial effect of magnetic field exposure on seizure response in Drosophila larvae. The effect is dependent on cryptochrome, the presence and wavelength of light and is blocked by prior ingestion of typical antiepileptic drugs. These data are consistent with a magnetically-sensitive, photochemical radical pair reaction in cryptochrome that alters levels of neuronal excitation, and represent a vital step forward in our understanding of the signal transduction mechanism involved in animal magnetoreception.
authors: 1] Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK [2].
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Marley
authors: 1] Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK [2].
authors: Carlo N G
authors: CN
authors: Giachello
authors: Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN.
authors: Nigel S
authors: NS
authors: Scrutton
authors: Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
authors: Richard A
authors: RA
authors: Baines
authors: Photon Science Institute and School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
authors: Alex R
authors: AR
authors: Jones
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology; D056931:Cryptochromes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007814:Larva / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D060526:Magnetic Fields; D008297:Male; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D056931:Cryptochromes; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005136:Eye Proteins; C119828:cry protein, Drosophila