LIGHT-INDUCED CONFORMATIONAL CHANGE IN CIRCADIAN CLOCK PROTEINS

Light-induced Conformational Changes in Circadian Clock Proteins

We are investigating the conformational changes that the drosophila cryptochrome (dCRY) undergo when activated with light. In particular, the C-terminal tail (CTT; see figure below) is a structural motif responsible for the recruitment of transcription factors involved in the regulation of the circadian clock.

In this project we are applying optical tweezers to quantify the forces and lifetimes between the CTT and the protein core in the dark and light-activated states. This project is conducted in collaboration with Prof. Brian Crane from Cornell University.

Publications

Foroutannejad S, Good LL, Lin C, Carter ZI, Tadesse MG, Lucius AL, Crane BR, Maillard RA. (2023) The cofactor-dependent folding mechanism of Drosophila cryptochrome revealed by single-molecule pulling experiments. Nat Commun 14, 1057