Work

Magnetosensitivity of tightly bound radical pairs in cryptochrome is enabled by the quantum Zeno effect

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The radical pair mechanism accounts for the magnetic field sensitivity of a large class of chemical reactions and is hypothesised to underpin numerous magnetosensitive traits in biology, including the avian compass. Traditionally, magnetic field sensitivity in this mechanism is attributed to radical pairs with weakly interacting, well-separated electrons; closely bound pairs were considered unresponsive to weak fields due to arrested spin dynamics. In this study, we challenge this view by examining the FAD-superoxide radical pair within cryptochrome, a protein hypothesised to function as a biological magnetosensor. Contrary to expectations, we find that this tightly bound radical pair can respond to Earth-strength magnetic fields, provided that the recombination reaction is strongly asymmetric-a scenario invoking the quantum Zeno effect. These findings present a plausible mechanism for weak magnetic field effects in biology, suggesting that even closely associated radical pairs, like those involving superoxide, may play a role in magnetic sensing.

Source: Nature Communications

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55124-x

Authors: Matt C. J. Denton, Luke D. Smith, Wenhao Xu, Jodeci Pugsley, Amelia Toghill, Daniel R. Kattnig

Institution: University of Exeter

Language: English

Topic: Electromagnetic Fields and Biological Effects

Subfield: Biophysics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $6,790