Cryptochrome

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cryptochrome 1 (photolyase-like)
Identifiers
Symbol	CRY1 PHLL1
HUGO	2384
Entrez	1407
OMIM	601933
RefSeq	NM_004075
UniProt	Q16526
Other data
Locus	Chr. 12 q23-q24.1

cryptochrome 2 (photolyase-like)
Identifiers
Symbol	CRY2
HUGO	2385
Entrez	1408
OMIM	603732
RefSeq	NM_021117
UniProt	Q49AN0
Other data
Locus	Chr. 11 p11.2

Cryptochrome is a name used historically for the blue light photoreceptors of plants. It is now used to describe a specific subset of blue light receptors, a family of flavoproteins that regulate germination, elongation and photoperiodism responses in higher plants. Blue light also mediates phototropism, but this response is now known to have its own set of photoreceptors, the phototropins. They are also found in insects and mammals. The two cryptochromes found in mammals play a pivotal role in the generation and maintenance of circadian rhythms. New evidence suggests that cryptochromes allow migratory birds to navigate by sensing magnetic fields. Other theories suggest that this ability lies dormant in all mammals.

[edit] External links

• MeSH cryptochrome