Phosphorylation of CREB Ser142 regulates light-induced phase shifts of the circadian clock

Neuron. 2002 Apr 11;34(2):245-53. doi: 10.1016/s0896-6273(02)00656-6.

Abstract

Biological rhythms are driven in mammals by a central circadian clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Light-induced phase shifting of this clock is correlated with phosphorylation of CREB at Ser133 in the SCN. Here, we characterize phosphorylation of CREB at Ser142 and describe its contribution to the entrainment of the clock. In the SCN, light and glutamate strongly induce CREB Ser142 phosphorylation. To determine the physiological relevance of phosphorylation at Ser142, we generated a mouse mutant, CREB(S142A), lacking this phosphorylation site. Light-induced phase shifts of locomotion and expression of c-Fos and mPer1 in the SCN are significantly attenuated in CREB(S142A) mutants. Our findings provide genetic evidence that CREB Ser142 phosphorylation is involved in the entrainment of the mammalian clock and reveal a novel phosphorylation-dependent regulation of CREB activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence / genetics
  • Animals
  • Biological Clocks / physiology*
  • Circadian Rhythm*
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / genetics
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / metabolism*
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Light*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Mutation / physiology
  • Phosphorylation
  • Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / physiology

Substances

  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein