Photoreceptors having similar structure but different absorptions can be distinguished using the resonant recognition model

Some light-specific photoreceptor activations in plants have been interpreted in terms of the resonant recognition model (RRM). The RRM proposes that proteins are activated with characteristic resonant frequencies. The RRM characteristic frequencies of HY4 red/far-red mutants were compared with the characteristic frequency of blue-light photoreceptors, i.e. photolyases. A clear distinction between red/far-red and blue-light receptors was found despite their similar structures. In addition, complete agreement was achieved with previously established relations between RRM frequencies and protein activating spectra