PuSH - Publication Server of Helmholtz Zentrum München

Günther, A.* ; Einwich, A.* ; Sjulstok, E.* ; Feederle, R. ; Bolte, P.* ; Koch, K.W.* ; Solov'yov, I.A.* ; Mouritsen, H.*

Double-cone localization and seasonal expression pattern suggest a role in magnetoreception for European robin Ccyptochrome 4.

Curr. Biol. 28, 211-223.e4 (2018)
Publ. Version/Full Text DOI PMC
Free by publisher
Open Access Green as soon as Postprint is submitted to ZB.
Birds seem to use a light-dependent, radical-pair-based magnetic compass. In vertebrates, cryptochromes are the only class of proteins that formradical pairs upon photo-excitation. Therefore, they are currently the only candidate proteins for light-dependent magnetoreception. Cryptochrome 4 (Cry4) is particularly interesting because it has only been found in vertebrates that use amagnetic compass. However, its structure and localization within the retina has remained unknown. Here, we sequenced night-migratory European robin (Erithacus rubecula) Cry4 from the retina and predicted the currently unresolved structure of the erCry4 protein, which suggests that erCry4 should bind Flavin. We also found that Cry1a, Cry1b, and Cry2 mRNA display robust circadian oscillation patterns, whereas Cry4 shows only a weak circadian oscillation. When we compared the relative mRNA expression levels of the cryptochromes during the spring and autumn migratory seasons relative to the non-migratory seasons in European robins and domestic chickens (Gallus gallus), the Cry4 mRNA expression level in European robin retinae, but not in chicken retinae, is significantly higher during the migratory season compared to the non-migratory seasons. Cry4 protein is specifically expressed in the outer segments of the double cones and long-wavelength single cones in European robins and chickens. A localization of Cry4 in double cones seems to be ideal for light-dependent magnetoreception. Considering all of the data presented here, especially including its localization within the European robin retina, its likely binding of Flavin, and its increased expression during the migratory season in the migratory bird but not in chicken, Cry4 could be the magnetoreceptive protein.
Altmetric
Additional Metrics?
Edit extra informations Login
Publication type Article: Journal article
Document type Scientific Article
Corresponding Author
Keywords Bird Migration ; Eye ; Magnetic Sense ; Magnetic Sensing ; Magneto-perception ; Navigation ; Orientation ; Photoreceptor ; Photoreceptor Cells ; Vision; Messenger-rna Expression; Blue-light Photoreceptor; Avian Magnetic Compass; Swiss-model Workspace; Arabidopsis-thaliana; Molecular-dynamics; Electron-transfer; Migratory Birds; Radical-pair; Plant Cryptochrome
ISSN (print) / ISBN 0960-9822
e-ISSN 1879-0445
Journal Current Biology
Quellenangaben Volume: 28, Issue: 2, Pages: 211-223.e4 Article Number: , Supplement: ,
Publisher Elsevier
Publishing Place Cambridge
Non-patent literature Publications
Reviewing status Peer reviewed
Institute(s) CF Monoclonal Antibodies (CF-MAB)