Role of Rhodopsins as Circadian Photoreceptors in the Drosophila melanogaster
Neurobiology & Genetics, Theodor-Boveri Institute, Biocenter, Julius-Maximilians University Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
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Biology 2019, 8(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology8010006
Received: 3 October 2018 / Revised: 14 December 2018 / Accepted: 4 January 2019 / Published: 10 January 2019
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Clocks)
Light profoundly affects the circadian clock and the activity levels of animals. Along with the systematic changes in intensity and spectral composition, over the 24-h day, light shows considerable irregular fluctuations (noise). Using light as the Zeitgeber for the circadian clock is, therefore, a complex task and this might explain why animals utilize multiple photoreceptors to entrain their circadian clock. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster possesses light-sensitive Cryptochrome and seven Rhodopsins that all contribute to light detection. We review the role of Rhodopsins in circadian entrainment, and of direct light-effects on the activity, with a special emphasis on the newly discovered Rhodopsin 7 (Rh7). We present evidence that Rhodopsin 6 in receptor cells 8 of the compound eyes, as well as in the extra retinal Hofbauer-Buchner eyelets, plays a major role in entraining the fly’s circadian clock with an appropriate phase-to-light–dark cycles. We discuss recent contradictory findings regarding Rhodopsin 7 and report original data that support its role in the compound eyes and in the brain. While Rhodopsin 7 in the brain appears to have a minor role in entrainment, in the compound eyes it seems crucial for fine-tuning light sensitivity to prevent overshooting responses to bright light.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Senthilan, P.R.; Grebler, R.; Reinhard, N.; Rieger, D.; Helfrich-Förster, C. Role of Rhodopsins as Circadian Photoreceptors in the Drosophila melanogaster. Biology 2019, 8, 6. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology8010006
AMA Style
Senthilan PR, Grebler R, Reinhard N, Rieger D, Helfrich-Förster C. Role of Rhodopsins as Circadian Photoreceptors in the Drosophila melanogaster. Biology. 2019; 8(1):6. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology8010006
Chicago/Turabian StyleSenthilan, Pingkalai R.; Grebler, Rudi; Reinhard, Nils; Rieger, Dirk; Helfrich-Förster, Charlotte. 2019. "Role of Rhodopsins as Circadian Photoreceptors in the Drosophila melanogaster" Biology 8, no. 1: 6. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology8010006
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