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Drosophila cryptochromes

A unique circadian-rhythm photoreceptor

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Abstract

Cryptochrome proteins are critical for circadian rhythms, but their function(s) is uncertain. Here we show that a mutation in a cryptochrome (dCRY) from the fruitfly Drosophila blocks an essential photoresponse of circadian rhythms, namely arrhythmicity under constant light conditions. We conclude that dCRY acts as a key photoreceptor for circadian rhythms and that there is probably no other comparable photoreceptor in this species.

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Figure 1: cryb circadian rhythms free-run under intense constant light.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, NSF Center for Biological Timing, Brandeis University, Waltham, 02454, Massachusetts, USA

    Patrick Emery, Jeffrey C. Hall & Michael Rosbash

  2. Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brandeis University, Waltham, 02454, Massachusetts, USA

    Michael Rosbash

  3. Zoologisches Institut, Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, D93040, Germany

    Ralf Stanewsky

Authors
  1. Patrick Emery
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  2. Ralf Stanewsky
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  3. Jeffrey C. Hall
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  4. Michael Rosbash
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Rosbash.

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Emery, P., Stanewsky, R., Hall, J. et al. A unique circadian-rhythm photoreceptor. Nature 404, 456–457 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/35006558

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