This gene encodes a flavin adenine dinucleotide-binding protein that is a key component of the circadian core oscillator complex, which regulates the circadian clock. This gene is upregulated by CLOCK/ARNTL heterodimers but then represses this upregulation in a feedback loop using PER/CRY heterodimers to interact with CLOCK/ARNTL. Polymorphisms in this gene have been associated with altered sleep patterns. The encoded protein is widely conserved across plants and animals. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Feb 2014]
Forensic Context
A study in humans demonstrated that the CRY2 was evaluated as a candidate mRNA marker for estimating blood deposition time, but it was not selected as a significantly rhythmic marker in the analysis of blood samples collected at 2-hour intervals under controlled conditions [Lech et al. DOI:10.1016/J.Fsigen.2015.12.008]. In a separate investigation of sepsis, the CRY2 was identified as a differentially expressed circadian rhythm-related gene between sepsis and control groups, with its expression validated by RT-qPCR, and it was mentioned as having high rhythmicity in septic shock patients [Wang et al. DOI:10.3390/ijms26093993].