Purification and characterization of five members of photolyase/cryptochrome family from Cyanidioschyzon merolae

► We characterized 5 cryptochrome/photolyase gene family from primitive a red algae Cyanidioschyzon merolae. ► Our biochemical and complementation assays indicated that this organism has a (6-4) photolyase, 2 CRY-DASH and 4 plant-like CRY. ► For the first time we discovered (6-4) photolyase from a primitive organism, which primary endosymbiosis between cyanobacteria and eukaryotic hosts, and secondary endosymbiosis between the red algae and its host. ► For the first time we have shown that a CRY-DASH does not repair ssDNA, which indicates that a transition form between CRY and photolyase.