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An electromagnetic field disrupts negative geotaxis in Drosophila via a CRY-dependent pathway

Author

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  • Giorgio Fedele

    (University of Leicester)

  • Edward W. Green

    (University of Leicester)

  • Ezio Rosato

    (University of Leicester)

  • Charalambos P. Kyriacou

    (University of Leicester)

Abstract

Many higher animals have evolved the ability to use the Earth’s magnetic field, particularly for orientation. Drosophila melanogaster also respond to electromagnetic fields (EMFs), although the reported effects are quite modest. Here we report that negative geotaxis in flies, scored as climbing, is disrupted by a static EMF, and this is mediated by cryptochrome (CRY), the blue-light circadian photoreceptor. CRYs may sense EMFs via formation of radical pairs of electrons requiring photoactivation of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) bound near a triad of Trp residues, but mutation of the terminal Trp in the triad maintains EMF responsiveness in climbing. In contrast, deletion of the CRY C terminus disrupts EMF responses, indicating that it plays an important signalling role. CRY expression in a subset of clock neurons, or the photoreceptors, or the antennae, is sufficient to mediate negative geotaxis and EMF sensitivity. Climbing therefore provides a robust and reliable phenotype for studying EMF responses in Drosophila.

Suggested Citation

  • Giorgio Fedele & Edward W. Green & Ezio Rosato & Charalambos P. Kyriacou, 2014. "An electromagnetic field disrupts negative geotaxis in Drosophila via a CRY-dependent pathway," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-6, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms5391
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5391
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    Cited by:

    1. Mohd Zamri Bin Haji Ismail & Matt D Hodges & Michael Boylan & Rajesh Achall & Alan Shirras & Susan J Broughton, 2015. "The Drosophila Insulin Receptor Independently Modulates Lifespan and Locomotor Senescence," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(5), pages 1-21, May.
    2. Honglong Cao & Fenju Qin & Xueguan Liu & Jiajun Wang & Yi Cao & Jian Tong & Heming Zhao, 2015. "Circadian Rhythmicity of Antioxidant Markers in Rats Exposed to 1.8 GHz Radiofrequency Fields," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-17, February.

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