Perception of environmental signals by animal and human cryptochromes – anicry

Cryptochromes are blue light sensing photoreceptors in plants and animals. Plant cryptochromes are undergo light dependent electron transfer reactions and are responsive to the geomagnetic field. However, nothing is known concerning mechanism of activation of human cryptochromes. In this proposal we will study the primary mechanism of light perception and response to the geomagnetic field in drosophila and human cryptochromes. It is hoped to gain fundamental insight into how animal and human cryptochromes respond to light and magnetic field. Since human cryptochromes are found throughout the body and are particularly abundant in the skin, this work may have therapeutic value in treatment of skin lesions and even help to determine whether man has the ability to sense or respond to weak magnetic fields.