The ionic and protonation states of flavin control the activation and recovery of Drosophila cryptochrome
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Drosophila cryptochrome (dCry) is a flavin-containing photoreceptor. The release of C-terminal tail (CTT) upon illumination is a crucial step for the light sensing of dCry. Here, we demonstrated that both anionic semiquinone (asq) and anionic hydroquinone (hq) triggered CTT release, while neutral semiquinone (nsq) formation suppressed it. However, during photoreduction, a fraction of nsq was formed in dCry under neutral conditions, and the fraction of which increased when the pH decreased. The proton required for nsq formation might be transferred to flavin through a side tunnel. The nsq formation was minimized in dCry under basic conditions, or in the mutants in CTT, which resulted in enhanced CTT release but slower oxidation (i.e. recovery) after photoreduction. Therefore, forming a proper fraction of nsq is important for fast recovery of dCry after light sensing. Nevertheless, a key residue at the side tunnel, His378, is a proton interceptor that adjusts the nsq formation. The release of the C-terminal tail (CTT) of the Drosophila cryptochrome (dCry) upon illumination is central to light signal transduction in this flavin-containing photoreceptor, but the roles of flavin in the different ionic and protonation states are not fully understood. Here, the authors show that both flavin anionic semiquinone and anionic hydroquinone can trigger CTT release, while the formation of a small fraction of neutral semiquinone under neutral conditions, moderately supresses CTT release, but ensures fast recovery of dCry after light sensing.
Source: Communications Chemistry
Authors: Wenlong Xie, Mengqi Wan, Yuting Dai, Yingjun Jiang, Mohan Wang, Lili Zhou, Li Zhang, Linmei Sun, Xiaoyu Feng, Tian Xia, Bin Wen, Jun Lv, Xiuxiu Wang, Lei Xu
Institution: Wannan Medical College
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrine and Autonomic Systems
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,690
Award: G3839282038
OpenAlex ID: W4413094428