CRY, a Drosophila Clock and Light-Regulated Cryptochrome, Is a Major Contributor to Circadian Rhythm Resetting and Photosensitivity

It is proposed that CRY is a major Drosophila photoreceptor dedicated to the resetting of circadian rhythms, and physiological and genetic data link a specific photorecept molecule to circadian rhythmicity.

Abstract

Light is a major environmental signal for circadian rhythms. We have identified and analyzed cry, a novel Drosophila cryptochrome gene. All characterized family members are directly photosensitive and include plant blue light photoreceptors. We show that cry transcription is under circadian regulation, influenced by the Drosophila clock genes period, timeless, Clock, and cycle. We also show that cry protein levels are dramatically affected by light exposure. Importantly, circadian photosensitivity is increased in a cry-overexpressing strain. These physiological and genetic data therefore link a specific photoreceptor molecule to circadian rhythmicity. Taken together with the data in the accompanying paper, we propose that CRY is a major Drosophila photoreceptor dedicated to the resetting of circadian rhythms.