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A group of researchers at the Molecular Genetics Group, University of Murcia have discovered a new type of photoreceptor protein (sense and respond to light) that exploits the photosensitivity of vitamin B12, which regulates gene expression in a process dependent light.

This facet shown by researchers at the University (Juan Manuel Ortiz, Maria del Carmen Polanco, Francisco José Murillo and Montserrat Elías Padmanabhan Subramanian), vitamin B12 becomes part of the list of chromophore compounds responsible for certain proteins have the ability to perceive light in living organisms.

The finding could also be used for engineering of new synthetic proteins designed to perform specific biological functions in response to light.

Vitamin B12 is essences for humans and other animals, to the extent that its absence causes pernicious anemia.

Source: Universidad de Murcia