Cryptochrome-dependent circadian periods in the arcuate nucleus.
Neurosci Lett
; 610: 123-8, 2016 Jan 01.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26542738
The circadian pacemaker in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus is responsible for controlling behavioral activity rhythms, such as a free running rhythm in constant darkness. Rodents have several circadian oscillators in other brain regions including the arcuate nucleus (ARC). In specific conditions such as food anticipatory activity rhythms in the context of timed restricted feeding, an alternative circadian pace-making system has been assumed by means of circadian oscillators like the SCN. Despite extensive lesion studies, the anatomic locations of extra-SCN circadian pacemakers responsible for regulating behavioral rhythms have not been found. In the present study, we investigated circadian rhythms in the SCN and extra-SCN region of the arcuate nucleus (ARC) by analyzing PER2::LUCIFERASE expression in specific regions from wild-type C57BL/6, Cry1(-/-), and Cry2(-/-) mice. Compared to wild-type animals, we observed period shortening in both the SCN and ARC of Cry1(-/-) mice and period lengthening in Cry2(-/-) mice. Interestingly, the periods in the ARC of both genotypes were identical to those in the SCN. Moreover, the amplitudes of PER2::LUC rhythms in the ARC of all animals were decreased compared to those in the SCN. These data suggest that the ARC is a candidate circadian pacemaker outside the SCN.
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Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus
/
Circadian Rhythm
/
Cryptochromes
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Neurosci Lett
Year:
2016
Document type:
Article
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