Proteins that 'see' light are identified

2002/09/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Anatomia/Fisiologia

The biological clock controls body rhythms and as this physiological rhythm is about 24 hours, it is called circadian cycle. Although the mechanism that controls the cycle is very complex, it is increasingly better known.

Recently, researchers at the US Darmonth University have identified a group of proteins involved in the biological clock. Research has been carried out in the mold of bread, a better known genetic model. In addition to detecting these proteins, researchers have managed to explain the functioning of the circadian cycle and how light launches the chain of reaction of molecular messages.

According to them, the discovery will serve to create new drug distribution systems, since using genetic engineering can take advantage of the properties of these proteins.