Circadian neurons in the paraventricular nucleus entrain and sustain daily rhythms in glucocorticoids.
Nat Commun
; 12(1): 5763, 2021 10 01.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34599158
ABSTRACT
Signals from the central circadian pacemaker, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), must be decoded to generate daily rhythms in hormone release. Here, we hypothesized that the SCN entrains rhythms in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) to time the daily release of corticosterone. In vivo recording revealed a critical circuit from SCN vasoactive intestinal peptide (SCNVIP)-producing neurons to PVN corticotropin-releasing hormone (PVNCRH)-producing neurons. PVNCRH neurons peak in clock gene expression around midday and in calcium activity about three hours later. Loss of the clock gene Bmal1 in CRH neurons results in arrhythmic PVNCRH calcium activity and dramatically reduces the amplitude and precision of daily corticosterone release. SCNVIP activation reduces (and inactivation increases) corticosterone release and PVNCRH calcium activity, and daily SCNVIP activation entrains PVN clock gene rhythms by inhibiting PVNCRH neurons. We conclude that daily corticosterone release depends on coordinated clock gene and neuronal activity rhythms in both SCNVIP and PVNCRH neurons.
Full text:
1
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus
/
Circadian Rhythm
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Glucocorticoids
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Neurons
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Year:
2021
Type:
Article