QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

HOME  |   SEARCH  |   ARCHIVE  |   SUBSCRIBE  |   CONTACT  |   HELP

The Journal of Neuroscience, August 17, 2005, 25(33):7682-7686; doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2211-05.2005

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Supplemental data Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (29) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Lundkvist, G. B. Articles by Block, G. D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Lundkvist, G. B. Articles by Block, G. D.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

BRIEF COMMUNICATION
A Calcium Flux Is Required for Circadian Rhythm Generation in Mammalian Pacemaker Neurons

Gabriella B. Lundkvist,¹ Yongho Kwak,¹ Erin K. Davis,¹ Hajime Tei,² and Gene D. Block¹

¹Center for Biological Timing, Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, and ²Research Group of Chronogenomics, Mitsubishi Kagaku Institute of Life Sciences, Machida, Tokyo 194-8511, Japan

Generation of mammalian circadian rhythms involves molecular transcriptional and translational feedback loops. It is not clear how membrane events interact with the intracellular molecular clock or whether membrane activities are involved in the actual generation of the circadian rhythm. We examined the role of membrane potential and calcium (Ca²⁺) influx in the expression of the circadian rhythm of the clock gene Period 1 (Per1) within the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the master pacemaker controlling circadian rhythmicity. Membrane hyperpolarization, caused by lowering the extracellular concentration of potassium or blocking Ca²⁺ influx in SCN cultures by lowering [Ca²⁺], reversibly abolished the rhythmic expression of Per1. In addition, the amplitude of Per1 expression was markedly decreased by voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channel antagonists. A similar result was observed for mouse Per1 and PER2. Together, these results strongly suggest that a transmembrane Ca²⁺ flux is necessary for sustained molecular rhythmicity in the SCN. We propose that periodic Ca²⁺ influx, resulting from circadian variations in membrane potential, is a critical process for circadian pacemaker function.

Key words: circadian rhythm; calcium; potassium; suprachiasmatic nucleus; Period 1; PERIOD 2

---

Received Jan 30, 2005; revised July 3, 2005; accepted July 5, 2005.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. Mercado, M. Diaz-Munoz, J. Alamilla, K. Valderrama, V. Morales-Tlalpan, and R. Aguilar-Roblero Ryanodine-Sensitive Intracellular Ca2+ Channels in Rat Suprachiasmatic Nuclei Are Required for Circadian Clock Control of Behavior J Biol Rhythms, June 1, 2009; 24(3): 203 - 210. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. S. O'Neill, E. S. Maywood, J. E. Chesham, J. S. Takahashi, and M. H. Hastings cAMP-Dependent Signaling as a Core Component of the Mammalian Circadian Pacemaker Science, May 16, 2008; 320(5878): 949 - 953. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Kwak, G. B. Lundkvist, J. Brask, A. Davidson, M. Menaker, K. Kristensson, and G. D. Block Interferon-{gamma} Alters Electrical Activity and Clock Gene Expression in Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Neurons J Biol Rhythms, April 1, 2008; 23(2): 150 - 159. [Abstract] [PDF]

				V. Sheeba, H. Gu, V. K. Sharma, D. K. O'Dowd, and T. C. Holmes Circadian- and Light-Dependent Regulation of Resting Membrane Potential and Spontaneous Action Potential Firing of Drosophila Circadian Pacemaker Neurons J Neurophysiol, February 1, 2008; 99(2): 976 - 988. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. C. Harrisingh, Y. Wu, G. A. Lnenicka, and M. N. Nitabach Intracellular Ca2+ Regulates Free-Running Circadian Clock Oscillation In Vivo J. Neurosci., November 14, 2007; 27(46): 12489 - 12499. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. P. Irwin and C. N. Allen Calcium Response to Retinohypothalamic Tract Synaptic Transmission in Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Neurons J. Neurosci., October 24, 2007; 27(43): 11748 - 11757. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Rusnak, Z. E. Toth, S. B. House, and H. Gainer Depolarization and Neurotransmitter Regulation of Vasopressin Gene Expression in the Rat Suprachiasmatic Nucleus In Vitro J. Neurosci., January 3, 2007; 27(1): 141 - 151. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. J. Kuhlman Biological Rhythms Workshop IB: Neurophysiology of SCN Pacemaker Function Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol, January 1, 2007; 72(0): 21 - 33. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. S. Maywood, J. S. O'Neill, A. B. Reddy, J. E. Chesham, H. M. Prosser, C. P. Kyriacou, S. I. H. Godinho, P. M. Nolan, and M. H. Hastings Genetic and Molecular Analysis of the Central and Peripheral Circadian Clockwork of Mice Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol, January 1, 2007; 72(0): 85 - 94. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. J. Kuhlman and D. G. McMahon Encoding the Ins and Outs of Circadian Pacemaking J Biol Rhythms, December 1, 2006; 21(6): 470 - 481. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. M. Brown, A. T. Hughes, and H. D. Piggins Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Promotes Suprachiasmatic Nuclei Cellular Rhythmicity in the Absence of Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide-VPAC2 Receptor Signaling J. Neurosci., November 30, 2005; 25(48): 11155 - 11164. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home  |   Search  |   Archive  |   Subscribe  |   Contact  |   Help