CRYPTOCHROME-mediated phototransduction by modulation of the potassium ion channel β-subunit redox sensor
Abstract
CRYPTOCHROMES (CRYs) are blue light photoreceptors that mediate phototransduction in brain arousal neurons, as well as circadian light entrainment in Drosophila fruit flies. We describe how light-activated Drosophila CRY couples to membrane depolarization and increased action potential firing rate in large ventral lateral arousal neurons. Pharmacological treatments that specifically disrupt the CRY redox-sensitive flavin chromophore or block voltage-gated K+ channels abolish the light response. Correspondingly, we find that the Kvβ channel subunit Hyperkinetic with a well conserved redox sensor domain links light-evoked redox changes in CRY to rapid changes in membrane electrical potential.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- February 2015
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.1416586112
- Bibcode:
- 2015PNAS..112.2245F