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Vertebrate Cryptochromes are Vestigial Flavoproteins.
- Source :
-
Scientific Reports . 3/24/2017, p44906. 1p. - Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- All cryptochromes are currently classified as flavoproteins. In animals their best-described role is as components of the circadian clock. This circadian function is variable, and can be either light-dependent or -independent; the molecular origin of this difference is unknown. Type I animal cryptochromes are photoreceptors that entrain an organism's clock to its environment, whereas Type II (including mammals) regulate circadian timing in a light-independent manner. Here, we reveal that, in contrast to Type I, Type II animal cryptochromes lack the structural features to securely bind the photoactive flavin cofactor. We provide a molecular basis for the distinct circadian roles of different animal cryptochromes, which also has significant implications for the putative role of Type II cryptochromes in animal photomagnetoreception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20452322
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Scientific Reports
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 122041230
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/srep44906