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Identification of cryptochrome DASH from vertebrates
Hiromi Daiyasu1, Tomoko Ishikawa, Kei-ichi Kuma
1Bioinformatics Centre, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan. daiyasu@kuicr.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Summary
Researchers discovered CRY-DASH proteins, a new cryptochrome subfamily, in fungi and vertebrates. These proteins contain folate and flavin cofactors and exhibit weak DNA repair activity, expanding the known distribution of this photolyase/cryptochrome family member.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- A novel cryptochrome subfamily, CRY-DASH, has been identified, representing the fifth subfamily within the photolyase/cryptochrome family.
- Previous studies extensively characterized the CRY-DASH from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, the first identified in bacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the broader distribution of CRY-DASH proteins across diverse living organisms.
- To identify and characterize new CRY-DASH candidates from various taxa.
Main Methods:
- Database searches were conducted to identify potential CRY-DASH candidates.
- Complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences from zebrafish and Xenopus laevis were cloned and sequenced.
- Purification and biochemical characterization of the encoded proteins were performed.
- Phylogenetic analysis was used to confirm the subfamily classification.
Main Results:
- Five new CRY-DASH candidates were identified from marine bacteria and Neurospora crassa.
- CRY-DASH candidates were also found in fish and amphibians via expressed sequence tag (EST) databases.
- Purified proteins from zebrafish and Xenopus laevis contained folate and flavin cofactors and showed weak DNA photolyase activity.
- Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that all seven candidates belong to the CRY-DASH subfamily.
Conclusions:
- This study reports the first identification of CRY-DASH members in fungi (Neurospora crassa) and vertebrates (zebrafish and Xenopus laevis).
- The findings expand the known phylogenetic and taxonomic distribution of the CRY-DASH subfamily within the photolyase/cryptochrome family.