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Animal cryptochromes mediate magnetoreception by an unconventional photochemical mechanism

Author

Listed:
  • Robert J. Gegear

    (University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA)

  • Lauren E. Foley

    (University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA)

  • Amy Casselman

    (University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA)

  • Steven M. Reppert

    (University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA)

Abstract

Insect magnetoreception Just how animals are able to use the Earth's magnetic field for navigation is the subject of much current interest. It is known that the UV-A/blue light photoreceptor cryptochrome (Cry) mediates the light-dependent magnetic sense in Drosophila. Steven Reppert and colleagues now use genetic manipulation to show that two cryptochromes from the monarch butterfly, Drosophila-like Cry1 and vertebrate-like Cry2, can restore magnetic sensation in cry-deficient Drosophila. This suggests that both types of Cry have the capacity to sense magnetic fields in the migratory monarch butterfly via a mechanism that remains unclear — and that light sensitivity is involved in some way.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert J. Gegear & Lauren E. Foley & Amy Casselman & Steven M. Reppert, 2010. "Animal cryptochromes mediate magnetoreception by an unconventional photochemical mechanism," Nature, Nature, vol. 463(7282), pages 804-807, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:463:y:2010:i:7282:d:10.1038_nature08719
    DOI: 10.1038/nature08719
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    Cited by:

    1. Fatik Baran Mandal & Bikash Chakroborty, 2022. "Magnetoreception In Fruit Flies, Bees And Ants," Acta Scientifica Malaysia (ASM), Zibeline International Publishing, vol. 6(1), pages 10-16, March.

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