CRYPTOCHROME-mediated phototransduction by modulation of the potassium ion channel β-subunit redox sensor

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1416586112
• Publication Date: 2015-02-03T04:18:45Z
• Authors: Keri J. Fogle; Lisa S. Baik; Jerry H. Houl; Tri T. Tran; Logan Roberts; Nicole A. Dahm; Yu Cao; Ming Zhou; Todd C. Holmes
• Keywords: Visual phototransduction

Significance CRYPTOCHROMES (CRYs) are blue light photoreceptors that mediate phototransduction in brain arousal neurons, as well circadian entrainment Drosophila fruit flies. We describe how light-activated CRY couples to membrane depolarization and increased action potential firing rate large ventral lateral neurons. Pharmacological treatments specifically disrupt the redox-sensitive flavin chromophore or block voltage-gated K + channels abolish response. Correspondingly, we find Kvβ channel subunit Hyperkinetic with a conserved redox sensor domain links light-evoked changes rapid electrical potential.