A dynein-associated photoreceptor protein prevents ciliary acclimation to blue light

Journal:
Science Advances
Published:
DOI:
10.1126/sciadv.abf3621
Affiliations:
15
Authors:
32
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Research Highlight

Light-sensing structure steers algae to safety

© Callista Images/Image Source/Getty Images

A photoresponsive protein that modulates molecular motors in single-celled algae can direct the cells to swim away from damagingly bright light.

Organisms from algae to humans produce cells covered with beating hair-like structures called flagella or cilia. These structures provide motion to single cells and drive fluid flow in multicellular structures such as the lining of our airways. Flagella and cilia motion is driven by molecular motors called dyneins.

Now, an team led by researchers at Tsukuba University in Japan has found that a dynein-associated protein called DYBLUP can directly control motor activity in response to light. Strong blue light slows the beating of flagella on the illuminated side of unicellular green algae, thereby steering the organism away from damaging light exposure. This light-avoiding behaviour is lost in cells that lack DYBLUP.

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References

  1. Science Advances 7, eabf3621 (2021). doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abf3621
Institutions Authors Share
University of Tsukuba, Japan
11.000000
11.000000
 0.34
Osaka University, Japan
6.500000
 0.20
Nagoya University, Japan
3.500000
 0.11
Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech), Japan
3.000000
 0.09
Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Switzerland
2.500000
 0.08
National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS), NINS, Japan
2.000000
 0.06
Department of Life Science and Biotechnology (DLSBT), AIST, Japan
1.000000
 0.03
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Switzerland
1.000000
 0.03
University of Yamanashi, Japan
0.500000
 0.02
University of Fukui, Japan
0.500000
 0.02
Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT University), India
0.500000
 0.02