Constant light desynchronizes mammalian clock neurons

Nat Neurosci. 2005 Mar;8(3):267-9. doi: 10.1038/nn1395. Epub 2005 Jan 30.

Abstract

Circadian organization can be disrupted by constant light, resulting in behavioral arrhythmicity or 'splitting' of rhythms of activity and rest. By imaging molecular rhythms of individual clock neurons in explanted mouse clock nuclei, we now find that constant light desynchronizes clock neurons but does not compromise their ability to generate circadian rhythms. Cellular synchrony within clock nuclei is disrupted during arrhythmicity, whereas neurons in the left and right clock nuclei cycle in antiphase during 'splitting.'

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Biological Clocks / physiology*
  • Biological Clocks / radiation effects
  • Cell Count / methods
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology*
  • Culture Techniques / methods
  • Diagnostic Imaging / methods
  • Eye Proteins / genetics
  • Functional Laterality
  • Gene Expression Regulation / radiation effects
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Light*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Motor Activity / physiology
  • Motor Activity / radiation effects
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Neurons / radiation effects*
  • Period Circadian Proteins
  • Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / cytology*
  • Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / physiology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Eye Proteins
  • Per1 protein, mouse
  • Period Circadian Proteins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins