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A cryptochrome‐based photosensory system in the siliceous sponge Suberites domuncula (Demospongiae)
Author(s) -
Müller Werner E. G.,
Wang Xiaohong,
Schröder Heinz C.,
Korzhev Michael,
Grebenjuk Vladislav A.,
Markl Julia S.,
Jochum Klaus P.,
Pisignano Dario,
Wiens Matthias
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the febs journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.981
H-Index - 204
eISSN - 1742-4658
pISSN - 1742-464X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2009.07552.x
Subject(s) - cryptochrome , sponge spicule , luciferase , biology , sponge , photolyase , botany , biochemistry , paleontology , gene , circadian clock , transfection , dna repair
Based on the light‐reactive behavior of siliceous sponges, their intriguing quartz glass‐based spicular system and the existence of a light‐generating luciferase [Müller WEG et al. (2009) Cell Mol Life Sci 66, 537–552], a protein potentially involved in light reception has been identified, cloned and recombinantly expressed from the demosponge Suberites domuncula . Its sequence displays two domains characteristic of cryptochrome, the N‐terminal photolyase‐related region and the C‐terminal FAD‐binding domain. The expression level of S. domuncula cryptochrome depends on animal’s exposure to light and is highest in tissue regions rich in siliceous spicules; in the dark, no cryptochrome transcripts/translational products are seen. From the experimental data, it is proposed that sponges might employ a luciferase‐like protein, the spicular system and a cryptochrome as the light source, optical waveguide and photosensor, respectively.