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Cited by 204Electromagnetic Fields and Biological EffectsCircadian rhythm and melatoninGeomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 80 of the 82 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Double-Cone Localization and Seasonal Expression Pattern Suggest a Role in Magnetoreception for European Robin Cryptochrome 4

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Günther, Anja, Einwich, Angelika, Sjulstok, Emil, Feederle, Regina, Bolte, Petra, Koch, Karl-Wilhelm, Solov’yov, Ilia A., Mouritsen, Henrik·2018·Current Biology
DOI 10.1016/j.cub.2017.12.003
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Abstract

Birds seem to use a light-dependent, radical-pair-based magnetic compass. In vertebrates, cryptochromes are the only class of proteins that form radical pairs upon photo-excitation. Therefore, they are currently the only candidate proteins for light-dependent magnetoreception. Cryptochrome 4 (Cry4) is particularly interesting because it has only been found in vertebrates that use a magnetic compass. However, its structure and localization within the retina has remained unknown. Here, we sequenced night-migratory European robin (Erithacus rubecula) Cry4 from the retina and predicted the currently unresolved structure of the erCry4 protein, which suggests that erCry4 should bind Flavin. We also found that Cry1a, Cry1b, and Cry2 mRNA display robust circadian oscillation patterns, whereas Cry4 shows only a weak circadian oscillation. When we compared the relative mRNA expression levels of the cryptochromes during the spring and autumn migratory seasons relative to the non-migratory seasons in European robins and domestic chickens (Gallus gallus), the Cry4 mRNA expression level in European robin retinae, but not in chicken retinae, is significantly higher during the migratory season compared to the non-migratory seasons. Cry4 protein is specifically expressed in the outer segments of the double cones and long-wavelength single cones in European robins and chickens. A localization of Cry4 in double cones seems to be ideal for light-dependent magnetoreception. Considering all of the data presented here, especially including its localization within the European robin retina, its likely binding of Flavin, and its increased expression during the migratory season in the migratory bird but not in chicken, Cry4 could be the magnetoreceptive protein.

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Metadata

Authors
Günther, A., Einwich, A., Sjulstok, E., Feederle, R., Bolte, P., Koch, K.-W., Solov’yov, I. A., & Mouritsen, H.
Affiliations
  • Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg (DE)
  • University of Southern Denmark (DK)
  • Helmholtz Munich (DE)
Corresponding author
Mouritsen, Henrik
ORCID
Venue
Current Biology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2018-01
Volume
28
Issue
2
Pages
211-223.e4
ISSN
0960-9822 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.cub.2017.12.003
OpenAlex
W2781607775
Cited by
204
References
82
Citations by year
2026: 22 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 14
FWCI
12.51
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Current Biology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • University of Southern Denmark Research Portal (University of Southern Denmark) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • PuSH - Publication Server of Helmholtz Zentrum München (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • DFG (FOR701, MO 1408/1-2)
  • GRK (1885)
  • Volkswagen Stiftung
  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research (FA9550-14-1-0095)
  • Lundbeck Foundation
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biophysics › Electromagnetic Fields and Biological Effects
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geophysics › Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies
Keywords
magnetoreception, European robin, Erithacus rubecula, retina, circadian gene expression, seasonal gene expression, bird migration, radical pair mechanism, flavin binding, photoreceptor outer segments
MeSH terms
Animals, Chickens, Gene Expression Regulation, Perception, Seasons, Sequence Analysis, DNA, Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells, Songbirds, Animal Migration, Avian Proteins, Cryptochromes, Magnetic Fields

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