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The Coevolution of Blue-Light Photoreception and Circadian Rhythms

Gehring, Walter ; Rosbash, Michael

In: Journal of Molecular Evolution, 2003, vol. 57, p. S286-S289

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    Title
    • The Coevolution of Blue-Light Photoreception and Circadian Rhythms
    Author
    • Gehring, Walter. Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse, 70, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
    • Rosbash, Michael. Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brandeis University, Department of Biology, Waltham, MA 02454, USA
    Document Type
    • Postprint
    Language
    • English
    Published in
    • Journal of Molecular Evolution, 2003, vol. 57, p. S286-S289. Springer-Verlag; www.springer-ny.com
    Other Version
    OAI-PMH Identifier
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:315752
    Summary
    Sunlight is a primary source of energy for life. However, its UV component causes DNA damage. We suggest that the strong UV component of sunlight contributed to the selective pressure for the evolution of the specialized photoreceptor cryptochrome from photolyases involved in DNA repair and propose that early metazoans avoided irradiation by descending in the oceans during the daytime. We suggest further that it is not coincidental that blue-light photoreception evolved in an aquatic environment, since only blue light can penetrate to substantial depths in water. These photoreceptors were then also critical for sensing the decreased luminescence that signals the coming of night and the time to return to the surface. The oceans and the 24-h light-dark cycle therefore provided an optimal setting for an early evolutionary relationship between blue-light photoreception and circadian rhythmicity