Abstract

In recent years we have provided the first insight into the molecular structure of cryptochrome, a flavin-containing blue light photoreceptor. We first isolated cryptochrome from the plant Arabidopsis - however, the photoreceptor appears to be present in all higher plants and is also found in ferns and algae. Recently, cryptochrome-like genes have been described for mammals, including humans. In plants, cryptochrome plays an important role in the perception of light in the surrounding environment - plants adjust their growth in response to light- induced signaling mediated by this photoreceptor. It seems likely that the human cryptochrome-like protein mediates entrainment of circadian behavioral rhythms. The long-term objectives of this proposal are to define the molecular mechanism by which cryptochrome perceives and transmits a light signal. We will use both a molecular approach and the power of Arabidopsis genetics to carry out these studies.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM051956-08
Application #
6519612
Study Section
Genetics Study Section (GEN)
Program Officer
Anderson, James J
Project Start
1994-12-01
Project End
2003-06-30
Budget Start
2002-04-01
Budget End
2003-06-30
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$262,714
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of Pennsylvania
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
042250712
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104

  Publications

Zhang, Xiao-Ning; Wu, Yingjie; Tobias, John W et al. (2008) HFR1 is crucial for transcriptome regulation in the cryptochrome 1-mediated early response to blue light in Arabidopsis thaliana. PLoS One 3:e3563
Yang, H Q; Tang, R H; Cashmore, A R (2001) The signaling mechanism of Arabidopsis CRY1 involves direct interaction with COP1. Plant Cell 13:2573-87
Yang, H Q; Wu, Y J; Tang, R H et al. (2000) The C termini of Arabidopsis cryptochromes mediate a constitutive light response. Cell 103:815-27
Cashmore, A R; Jarillo, J A; Wu, Y J et al. (1999) Cryptochromes: blue light receptors for plants and animals. Science 284:760-5
Cashmore, A R (1998) Higher-plant phytochrome: ""I used to date histidine, but now I prefer serine"". Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 95:13358-60
Ahmad, M; Jarillo, J A; Cashmore, A R (1998) Chimeric proteins between cry1 and cry2 Arabidopsis blue light photoreceptors indicate overlapping functions and varying protein stability. Plant Cell 10:197-207
Lin, C; Yang, H; Guo, H et al. (1998) Enhancement of blue-light sensitivity of Arabidopsis seedlings by a blue light receptor cryptochrome 2. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 95:2686-90
Ahmad, M; Jarillo, J A; Klimczak, L J et al. (1997) An enzyme similar to animal type II photolyases mediates photoreactivation in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell 9:199-207
Ahmad, M; Cashmore, A R (1997) The blue-light receptor cryptochrome 1 shows functional dependence on phytochrome A or phytochrome B in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant J 11:421-7
Lin, C; Ahmad, M; Cashmore, A R (1996) Arabidopsis cryptochrome 1 is a soluble protein mediating blue light-dependent regulation of plant growth and development. Plant J 10:893-902

Showing the most recent 10 out of 13 publications