 |
Previous Article | Next Article 
The Journal of Neuroscience, February 1, 1999, 19(3):987-994
The 69 bp Circadian Regulatory Sequence (CRS) Mediates
per-Like Developmental, Spatial, and Circadian Expression
and Behavioral Rescue in Drosophila
Haiping
Hao1, 2, 3,
Nick
R. J.
Glossop1,
Lisa
Lyons1,
Jan
Qiu1, 2, 4,
Bronwyn
Morrish1, 5,
Yuzhong
Cheng1, 2, 6,
Charlotte
Helfrich-Förster7, and
Paul
Hardin1
1 Department of Biology, University of Houston,
Houston, Texas 77204-5513, 2 Department of Biology, Texas A
& M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3258, 3 Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of
Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8081, 4 Department
of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02254, 5 Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington YO1
5DD, United Kingdom, 6 Department of Cell Biology, Baylor
College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, and 7 Institute
of Zoology, Animal Physiology, University of Tübingen,
Tübingen 72076, Germany
 |
ABSTRACT |
The period (per) gene is an
essential component of the circadian timekeeping mechanism in
Drosophila. This gene is expressed in a circadian
manner, giving rise to a protein that feeds-back to regulate its own
transcription. A 69 bp clock regulatory sequence (CRS) has been
identified previously upstream of the period gene. The
CRS confers wild-type mRNA cycling when used to drive a
lacZ reporter gene in transgenic flies. To determine
whether the CRS also mediates proper developmental and spatial
expression and behavioral rescue, we used the CRS to drive either
lacZ or per in transgenic flies. The
results show that the CRS is able to activate expression in pacemaker
neuron precursors in larvae and essentially all tissues that normally
express per in pupae and adults. The CRS is sufficient
to rescue circadian feedback loop function and behavioral rhythms in
per01 flies. However, the period of
locomotor activity rhythms shortens if a stronger basal promoter is
used. This study shows that regulatory elements sufficient for
clock-dependent and tissue-specific per expression in
larvae, pupae, and adults are present in the CRS and that the period of
adult locomotor activity rhythms is dependent, in part, on the overall
level of per transcripts.
Key words:
Drosophila; circadian clock; transcriptional
regulation; behavior; period gene; developmental
expression
 |
INTRODUCTION |
In Drosophila
melanogaster, an autoregulatory feedback loop in gene expression
is a central feature of the circadian timekeeping mechanism. In this
feedback loop, the period (per) and
timeless (tim) genes are rhythmically expressed
such that circadian fluctuations in per and tim
mRNA levels are controlled by fluctuating levels of PER and TIM
proteins (Rosato et al., 1997 ; Hardin and Sehgal, 1998 ). As PER and TIM
accumulate, they bind to each other and move into the nucleus (Vosshall
et al., 1994 ; Curtin et al., 1995 ; Gekakis et al., 1995 ; Saez and
Young, 1996 ; Zeng et al., 1996 ), where they act to repress the
transcription of their own genes (Hardin et al., 1992 ; Zeng et al.,
1994 ; Sehgal et al., 1995 ; So and Rosbash, 1997 ; Darlington et al.,
1998 ).
To understand how PER and TIM regulate cyclic transcription, we have
identified the sequences that control circadian transcription of the
per gene. A 69 bp circadian regulatory sequence (CRS), situated ~500 bp upstream of the per transcriptional
initiation site, mediates mRNA cycling with an amplitude and phase
similar to that of the wild-type per transcript (Hao et al.,
1997 ). Within the CRS a consensus "E-box" transcription factor
binding site is required for high-level per transcription
(Hao et al., 1997 ).
E-box-dependent transcriptional activation is mediated by two members
of the basic helix-loop-helix-PAS (bHLH-PAS) family of transcription
factors, Drosophila CLOCK (dCLK) and BMAL1 (Darlington et
al., 1998 ), also known as CYCLE (CYC) (Rutila et al., 1998 ). Mutations
that impair the activity of either dCLK or CYC result in very low
levels of per mRNA and behavioral arrhythmicity, showing that these proteins are essential for circadian clock function in
Drosophila (Allada et al., 1998 ; Rutila et al., 1998 ).
Consistent with the role of PER and TIM as transcriptional repressors,
dCLK- or CYC-dependent activation is inhibited by the presence of PER and TIM in Drosophila tissue culture (Darlington et al.,
1998 ). A similar regulatory circuit may also occur in mammals because orthologs of dCLK and CYC, called CLOCK (King et al., 1997 ) and BMAL1
(Ikeda and Nomura, 1997 ; Gekakis et al., 1998 ), respectively, activate
transcription via E-boxes upstream of the mouse PER1 (mPER1) gene
(Gekakis et al., 1998 ).
Although the per CRS is sufficient for circadian
transcription in adult Drosophila, it is unclear whether the
CRS also controls tissue- and developmental stage-specific expression.
The spatial expression pattern of per has been well
characterized and includes neuronal and non-neuronal tissues in the
head and body (Hall, 1995 ). Among these tissues, a set of neurons in
the lateral brain (LNs) appears to be the pacemaker cells for locomotor
activity rhythms (Frisch et al., 1994 ). per is active in
late embryos through adults (Young et al., 1985 ), and expression in LN
precursors during development may be important for mediating the
"time memory" of adults that were entrained as larvae (Sehgal et
al., 1992 ; Kaneko et al., 1997 ).
In this study we have tested whether the per CRS mediates
normal spatial and developmental expression and rescues behavioral rhythms in per01 mutants. These studies
show that the CRS confers accurate (i.e., per-like) spatial
expression in larvae, pupae, and adults. CRS-dependent per
expression rescues behavioral rhythms, resulting in shorter or longer
periods depending on whether strong or weak promoters are used,
respectively. Thus, the per CRS is a target for
transcription factors that regulate circadian, spatial, and
developmental expression.
 |
MATERIALS AND METHODS |
Construction of transformation plasmids. The
CRS/P/lacZ transgene was constructed as follows. The CRS was
amplified from the 563 to 494/hs/lacZ construct template
with a sense (5'-GAGAATTCGAGAAACCGTAGG-3') and an antisense
(5'-GTGGATCCGATTTTGCTGGCC-3') primer pair. This PCR fragment was
inserted into the CPLZ vector (Wharton and Crews, 1993 ) at the
EcoRI and BamHI sites.
The hs/cper transformation vector was constructed as
follows. A 5.9 kb per cDNA fragment spanning from the
SalI site of exon 3 to the EcoRI site at the 3'
downstream sequence was cut out from the hspcper (Edery et
al., 1994a ) and cloned into pBluescript KS to form
Rec2. The remainder of the per cDNA and the heat-shock basal
promoter were generated by PCR using the hspcper as a
template, a sense primer (5'-GGCTCGAGGAGCGCCGGAGTATAAATAG-3'), and an
antisense primer (5'-GGCTCGTCGACGCCGAG-3'). This PCR product was cloned into the XhoI and SalI restriction sites of Rec2
to form the hs/cper fusion Rec5. The hs/cper
fusion gene was then cloned into the KpnI- and
XbaI-cut polylinker sequences of a modified (i.e.,
XhoI sites deleted) CaSpeR-4 transformation vector (Thummel
and Pirotta, 1991 ).
The CRS DNA fragment was generated using the 563 to
494/hs/lacZ construct (Hao et al., 1997 ) (also called
CRS/hs/lacZ) as a template for PCR with sense
(5'-GAGGTACCTACGGTTTCTCGG-3') and antisense
(5'-CACTCGAGGCGGATTTGCTGGCC-3') primers. The PCR product was inserted
into the hs/cper transformation vector at the
KpnI and XhoI sites to form the
CRS/hs/cper construct.
Construction of the CRS/P/cper transgene was as follows. A
550 bp XhoI/SalI fragment containing the
hsp70 basal promoter fused to the 5' portion of the
per cDNA was subcloned into pBluescript KS , forming X/S-550. The hsp70 promoter
region was removed by digestion with XhoI and
NcoI and replaced with a 100 bp PCR fragment containing the
P-element transposase basal promoter generated using CaSpeR-4 as a
template for sense (5'-GTCTCGAGAAGCTTACCGAAG-3') and antisense (5'-GACCATGGTAAGGGTTAATG-3') primers, ultimately forming X/S-P550. The
P-element transposase basal promoter containing the
XhoI/SalI fragment from X/S-P550 was then removed
and used to replace the hsp70 basal promoter-containing
fragment from Rec4, which contains the 3' portion of the per
cDNA plus 2.1 kb of downstream per sequences, forming
Rec4-P. The CRS was removed from the CRS/hs/cper construct by digestion with KpnI and XhoI and was inserted
into Rec4-P, forming CRS-Rec4-P. A KpnI/EcoRI
fragment containing the CRS, the P-element basal promoter, and the
per cDNA and 3'-flanking sequences was ligated into
CaSpeR-4, forming CRS/P/cper.
The nucleotide sequence of all constructs was confirmed using octamer
sequencing (Hardin et al., 1996 ).
Fly stocks and germ-line transformation. D. melanogaster strains were raised on a cornmeal, sugar, agar,
yeast, and Tegosept (a mold inhibitor) medium at 25°C. The wild-type
D. melanogaster strain was Canton-S. P-element-mediated
germ-line transformation was performed as described previously (Hao et
al., 1997 ). At least four independent transformant lines with inserts
on the second or third chromosomes were generated for each construct
and balanced with In(2LR)CyO and In(3LR)TM2, respectively.
CRS/P/lacZ transformants were crossed into a y
per01 w genetic background for
-galactosidase staining as adults and into a w genetic
background for -galactosidase staining as larvae and pupae. The BG6
transgene (Dembinska et al., 1997 ) was used as a positive control for
larval staining (Kaneko et al., 1997 ). To test whether larval staining
was dependent on dClk or Cyc, we crossed BG6
transformants into a homozygous dClkJrk
(Allada et al., 1998 ) or Cyc (Rutila et al., 1998 ) genetic
background. CRS/P/cper transformants were crossed into a
y per01 w genetic background
to test for molecular and behavioral rhythms.
-Galactosidase staining. Each of five independent
CRS/P/lacZ transgenic lines was dissected at Zeitgeber time
1 (ZT1) as L1, L2, or L3 larvae and as early, mid, or late pupae and
then assayed for -galactosidase activity using
5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl- -D-galactopyranoside (X-gal)
histochemistry as described (Smith and Shepherd, 1996 ). CRS/P/lacZ adults were sectioned and stained using X-gal
histochemistry as described (Liu et al., 1988 ). At least eight
individuals were assayed from each independent CRS/P/lacZ
line at each developmental stage. Twenty BG6 larvae were assayed at the
L3 stage, and each gave the reported staining pattern (Kaneko et al.,
1997 ). Twenty BG6;dClkJrk and six
BG6;Cyc larvae were assayed at the L3 stage, and none showed
CNS staining.
Locomotor activity analysis. Locomotor activity of adult
male Canton-S, y per01 w,
y per01
w;CRS/P/cper, y
per01 w;CRS/hs/cper, and
y per01 w;hs/cper
transgenic flies were monitored and analyzed as described (Hamblen et
al., 1986 ). Briefly, flies were entrained in 12:12 hr light/dark (LD)
cycles at 25°C for 3 d and then were transferred into constant
darkness (DD). Locomotor behavior was monitored continuously starting
from the entrainment, and data collected during DD were analyzed using
periodogram analysis (Hamblen et al., 1986 ). Flies with powers >15 and
a width greater than two in periodogram analysis were designated rhythmic.
RNase protection assays. Flies used for RNase protection
analyses were entrained in 12:12 hr LD cycles at 25°C for 3 d
and then transferred into DD and collected during the first day. For each time point, RNA was extracted from the heads and used for RNase
protection assays as described (Hardin et al., 1990 ). The probe used in
these studies was Rec5 (used to detect endogenous per01 transcript and transgenic
hs/cper transcript). The Rec5 probe contains a 329 nucleotide (nt) antisense RNA from +208 bp of the heat-shock leader
sequences to the SalI site in per exon 3. The probe protects a 329 nt fragment from the transgenic per
transcript (hs/cper) and a 283 nt fragment from the
endogenous per01 transcript. As a control
for the amount of RNA in each lane, an antisense ribosomal protein
probe (RP49) was included in each RNase protection assay (Hardin et
al., 1990 ).
Immunohistochemistry. Flies were entrained in 12:12 hr LD
cycles at 25°C for at least 3 d and then transferred into DD and collected during the first day. Sectioning and staining were performed as described (Siwicki et al., 1988 ). Polyclonal anti-PER antibody raised in rabbits (a gift from J. Hall and R. Stanewsky) was used with
a biotinylated goat anti-rabbit IgG secondary antibody to detect PER
via immunostaining at a 1:4000 and a 1:2000 dilution, respectively.
Western blotting. Western-blotting analyses were performed
as described (Edery et al., 1994b ) with the following modifications. The polyclonal anti-PER antibody was diluted to 1:20,000, and the
horseradish peroxidase-linked anti-rabbit IgG was diluted to 1:5000 in
blocking solution; the blots were incubated with the primary antibody
at 4°C overnight and with the secondary antibody at room temperature
for 1 hr.
 |
RESULTS |
The CRS mediates per-like spatial expression
in adults
Our previous reporter gene studies showed that the CRS is capable
of driving rhythmic transcription (Hao et al., 1997 ). The transgenes
used in these studies produced cytoplasmic -galactosidase that was
difficult to resolve as individual cells. To improve cellular
resolution, we inserted the CRS into the CPLZ transformation vector
(Wharton and Crews, 1993 ), which produces a -galactosidase product
that is localized to the nucleus because it is fused to the N terminal
of the P-element transposase that contains a nuclear localization
signal (O'Kane and Gehring, 1987 ). This vector also uses the P-element
transposase basal promoter to drive lacZ (Fig. 1).

View larger version (17K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Figure 1.
Schematic drawings of transgenic constructs.
CRS, per circadian regulatory sequence;
hs, Drosophila heat-shock protein 70 gene
basal promoter plus leader sequences; lacZ, fusion of
the N terminal of the P-element transposase (including the nuclear
localization signal) and the Escherichia coli
lacZ-coding sequences; P,
Drosophila P-element transposase gene basal promoter
plus leader sequences; and per, per cDNA plus 2.1 kb of
3'-flanking sequences.
|
|
In adults, X-gal staining of each CRS/P/lacZ transformant
line reveals nuclear -galactosidase activity in photoreceptors, glial cells of the optic lobe, most LNs and dorsal neurons (DNs), the
ventriculus, cardia, fat bodies, and Malpighian tubules (Fig. 2). We have observed that a few cells,
including glia in the lamina, dorsal LNs, and the first group of dorsal
neurons (DN1s), show little or no staining in CRS/P/lacZ
transformants compared with that shown by lacZ driven by
~4 kb of per upstream sequence (Liu et al., 1988 , 1991 ;
Stanewsky et al., 1997 ) and of PER in wild-type flies (Zerr et al.,
1990 ). Staining throughout the entire cell is seen in the abdomen and
represents endogenous -galactosidase activity (Liu et al., 1988 ).
Thus, the CRS contains not only regulatory sequences capable of driving
rhythmic transcription but also regulatory sequences that mediate
essentially normal per expression in adults.

View larger version (31K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Figure 2.
Spatial expression of the
CRS/P/lacZ transgene in adults. A,
X-gal-stained head of a male transgenic CRS/P/lacZ fly.
B, X-gal-stained thorax of a male transgenic
CRS/P/lacZ fly. C, X-gal-stained abdomen
of a male transgenic CRS/P/lacZ fly. Ca,
Cardia; En, endogenous ventricular staining;
FB, fat bodies; LN, lateral neurons;
MT, Malpighian tubules; OL, optic lobe
glia; PR, photoreceptor cells; and Ve,
ventriculus.
|
|
The CRS drives expression in LN precursors
The Drosophila circadian timekeeping system operates
from the first larval instar (L1) onward (Sehgal et al., 1992 ). During the L1 stage, per begins to be expressed in one cluster of
lateral neurons and in two clusters of dorsal neurons (DN1 and DN2)
(Kaneko et al., 1997 ). Although per is rhythmically
expressed in all three clusters of larval neurons, the observation that
per expression is only maintained in the LNs into adulthood
suggests that this cluster of neurons conveys circadian phase to adults
(Kaneko et al., 1997 ). Because per expression in larval
neurons is correlated with the onset of circadian timekeeping, we
wanted to determine whether the CRS could drive per-like
expression in larvae.
Larvae containing the CRS/P/lacZ or BG transgenes were
stained at the mid-L1, -L2, and -L3 stages. The BG transgene, which serves as a positive control, is a per-lacZ fusion gene
that is expressed in larval LNs, DN1s, and DN2s (Kaneko et al., 1997 ). The CRS/P/lacZ-staining patterns were similar for each
larval instar (data not shown); thus we will only show the results
obtained from L3 larvae. In BG and two representative
CRS/P/lacZ lines, -galactosidase staining was readily
detected in the nuclei of four to five larval LNs (Fig.
3). In contrast to BG,
CRS/P/lacZ larvae showed no staining in DN1s, and staining
in DN2s was detected in only 10% of the brain hemispheres (data not
shown). Because the CRS/P/lacZ transgene was expressed in
larval and adult LNs (Figs. 2, 3), we suspected that this transgene
would also be expressed in pupal LNs. When brains from early (12-24
hr), mid (48 hr), and late (72-96 hr) CRS/P/lacZ pupae were
stained, LN staining was observed (data not shown). These data
demonstrate that the CRS mediates expression in LNs from the first
larval instar to adults.

View larger version (56K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Figure 3.
Spatial expression of the
CRS/P/lacZ transgene in L3 larvae. A-F,
Anterior on top. A, CNS of a BG6 third
instar larva dissected at ZT1. In this focal plane, staining is
restricted to a cluster of four or five LNs (arrows) in
each hemisphere. B, Higher magnification of LN staining
from the right hemisphere in A. C, CNS of
a CRS/P/lacZ-3 third instar larva dissected at ZT1.
Staining is restricted to a cluster of four or five LNs
(arrows) in each hemisphere. D, Higher
magnification of LN staining from the right hemisphere in
C. E, CNS of a
CRS/P/lacZ-8 third instar larva dissected at ZT1. Staining is restricted to a
cluster of four or five LNs (arrows) in each hemisphere.
F, Higher magnification of LN staining from the right
hemisphere in E. G, Left optic lobe of a
representative BG6;dClkJrk third
instar larva dissected at ZT1. H, Right optic lobe of a
representative BG6;Cyc third instar larva dissected at
ZT1.
|
|
The CRS regulates correct per mRNA and protein
expression in adults
Because the CRS is capable of mediating per-like
circadian, spatial, and developmental expression, we hypothesized that
per expression driven by this regulatory element would
rescue molecular and behavioral rhythms in
per01 flies. To test this hypothesis, we
inserted the CRS upstream of a Drosophila heat-shock protein
70 (hsp70) basal promoter/per cDNA
(hs/cper) fusion gene that contains per coding
sequences plus 2.1 kb of noncoding genomic sequences (Fig. 1).
P-element-mediated germ-line transformation was used to generate four
transgenic lines, which were then crossed into a
per01 background.
The PER spatial expression pattern in transformant flies containing
CRS/hs/cper resembles that of wild-type flies;
CRS/hs/cper flies collected at circadian time 22 (CT22) and
sectioned and stained with anti-PER antibody show PER in
photoreceptors, brain glia, and LNs (Fig.
4A,B).
The abundance of head-specific PER generated from the transgene also
shows daily fluctuations during the first day of DD by Western blot
analysis (Fig. 4C). The levels of PER in these transformants
peak between CT19 and CT23 and fall to their lowest levels between CT7
and CT11. This cycling appears to phase lead PER cycling in wild-type
flies, which peaks at CT23 and is least abundant at CT11, consistent
with previous observations (Edery et al., 1994b ; Zeng et al.,
1996 ).

View larger version (65K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Figure 4.
Spatial and circadian expression of PER in
per01;CRS/hs/cper
transformants. A, Spatial distribution of PER staining
within the head of a wild-type (Canton-S) fly collected at ZT22.
B, Spatial distribution of PER staining within the head
of a per01;CRS/hs/cper
transformant collected at ZT22. C, Western blot of PER
abundance during constant darkness. Wild-type (Canton-S) and
per01;CRS/hs/cper
flies were collected every 4 hr during the first day in DD after 3 d of entrainment. The circadian time (CT) of each
time point is noted above the lane. For
abbreviations, see Figures 1 and 2.
|
|
CRS/hs/cper-derived transcripts from heads cycle with an
approximately fivefold amplitude during the first day of DD (Fig. 5). Consistent with previous
observations, circadian cycling of endogenous
per01 transcripts is also rescued (Hardin
et al., 1990 ). The peak level for both the endogenous and
transformant-derived transcripts is between CT11 and CT15, consistent
with that of wild-type transcripts (Hardin et al., 1990 ). The overall
level of CRS/hs/cper-derived transcripts is more than
twofold higher than that of rescued per01
transcripts at their peak levels, which may be attributable to the
relatively strong hsp70 basal promoter (Hao et al., 1997 ). Thus, the histochemical staining, Western blot, and RNase protection results show that the CRS is capable of regulating the
transcriptional aspects of per expression needed for
feedback loop function in the appropriate cells of the head.

View larger version (25K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Figure 5.
CRS/hs/cper drives mRNA cycling in
DD. Top, RNase protection gels of
per01;CRS/hs/cper
transformants taken at CT 3, 7, 11, 15, 19, and 23. Bottom, The quantitation of the protection gel. Data are
normalized to the peak in hs/cper mRNA abundance, which
is set to 1.0. The hs/cper RNA is shown with
filled squares, and the endogenous
per01 RNA is shown with open
squares. The shaded and filled boxes
below the x-axis represent subjective day or
night under DD conditions, respectively. This experiment was repeated
five times with similar results. Ribosomal protein 49 (RP49), Antisense ribosomal protein 49 RNA probe. For
other abbreviations, see Figures 1 and 4.
|
|
CRS-driven PER expression rescues locomotor activity rhythms
The ability of the CRS/hs/cper construct to rescue
molecular feedback loop function suggests that it would also rescue
behavioral rhythms. Indeed, the CRS/hs/cper transgene
rescues rhythmic locomotor activity in 50-93% (average, ~77.8%) of
the per01 flies tested with periods of
~22.5 hr (Table 1). The penetrance of
CRS/hs/cper flies is strong compared with that of previous transformant flies containing per genomic sequences
(penetrance ranging from 25 to 100%), and they have shorter periods
than other per transformant types (periods range from ~23
to ~37 hr) (Bargiello et al., 1984 ; Hamblen et al., 1986 ; Baylies et
al., 1987 , 1992 ; Citri et al., 1987 ; Liu et al., 1991 ). Rhythms in
CRS/hs/cper flies have an average power of 40 ± 3.5 (Table 1), similar to the 48.5 ± 1.8 value for
per01 flies transformed with a 13.2 kb
per genomic DNA fragment containing ~4 kb of upstream
sequence, the entire per transcribed sequence, and ~2 kb
of downstream sequence (Cheng et al., 1998 ).
Because the CRS/hs/cper flies have ~1.5 hr shorter periods
than wild-type flies, we postulated that this difference was
attributable to the relatively strong hsp70 basal promoter.
Because the P-element basal promoter produces approximately fivefold
lower levels of transcript than the hsp70 basal promoter
(Hao et al., 1997 ), we expected that if the CRS were driving this
promoter, the period would be closer to that of wild type. Such a
result would agree with previous observations that lower per
mRNA titers correlate with longer periods (Baylies et al., 1987 ).
Indeed, the CRS/P/cper construct rescued locomotor activity
rhythms in per01 flies (Table 1).
Overall, 86% of the CRS/P/cper flies were rhythmic with a
period of 24.5 ± 0.2 hr and an average power of 54.3 ± 4.0. The penetrance and power values are in line with that of other
transformants that mediate per behavioral rescue (Bargiello et al., 1984 ; Hamblen et al., 1986 ; Baylies et al., 1987 , 1992 ; Citri
et al., 1987 ; Liu et al., 1991 ), and the period is in line with our
expectation given the weakness of the P-element promoter.
To insure that behavioral rescue is CRS dependent, we tested the
ability of an hs/cper gene lacking any per
upstream regulatory sequences to rescue locomotor activity rhythms in
per01 flies. All transgenic lines were
arrhythmic (data not shown), showing that behavioral rescue is CRS
dependent and that neither the per coding region nor the 2.1 kb of downstream sequences contain regulatory elements capable of
driving expression in the LNs. These results show that the
per CRS is sufficient for strong, high penetrance rescue of
behavioral rhythms with ~24 hr circadian periods and that the period
shortens with a stronger basal promoter.
 |
DISCUSSION |
In Drosophila, a rapidly expanding list of genes is
required for circadian feedback loop function including per
(Hardin et al., 1990 ), tim (Sehgal et al., 1994 ),
dClock (Allada et al., 1998 ; Darlington et al., 1998 ),
Cycle (Darlington et al., 1998 ; Rutila et al., 1998 ), and
double-time (Kloss et al., 1998 ; Price et al., 1998 ). These
genes act at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional levels to
regulate circadian feedback loop function (Hardin et al., 1990 , 1992 ;
Vosshall et al., 1994 ; Price et al., 1995 , 1998 ; So and Rosbash, 1997 ;
Allada et al., 1998 ; Cheng et al., 1998 ; Darlington et al., 1998 ; Kloss
et al., 1998 ; Rutila et al., 1998 ). Two of these genes, dClk
and Cyc, encode proteins that activate per and
tim transcription via E-boxes located in their respective upstream sequences (Darlington et al., 1998 ; Gekakis et al., 1998 ). One
of the E-boxes targeted by dCLK and CYC is located within the 69 bp CRS
from per, which is required for rhythmic transcription (Hao
et al., 1997 ).
In this study, we show that the per CRS also mediates
per-like spatial and developmental expression and that
CRS-dependent per expression rescues feedback loop function
and behavioral rhythms. The fact that the CRS contains all of the
regulatory information required for per-like developmental,
spatial, and circadian expression suggests that dCLK and CYC might
mediate all aspects of per expression. If true, we might
expect dClk and/or Cyc to be expressed in the same cells as per, thereby restricting per
activation to the proper cell types. In favor of this possibility is
the observation that there appear to be no obvious pleiotropic effects
from mutations in dClk or Cyc (Allada et al.,
1998 ; Rutila et al., 1998 ), thereby tentatively limiting the function
of dCLK and CYC to clock gene activation. If the dCLK and CYC proteins
are responsible for per and tim spatial
expression, then the minimal E-box within the CRS may well be the only
regulatory sequence that is needed to drive correct spatial expression.
Although the CRS is capable of mediating many, if not all, aspects of
per expression, transgenes lacking the CRS can also rescue
behavioral rhythms and drive expression in LNs (Ewer et al., 1990 ; Liu
et al., 1991 ; Frisch et al., 1994 ), indicating that important
per regulatory elements are not exclusive to the CRS.
There is evidence that PER- and/or TIM-dependent transcriptional
repression also occurs via dCLK and CYC binding at the E-box (Darlington et al., 1998 ). This repression could occur directly via an
interaction between PER and CYC and/or dCLK that disrupts activation
(perhaps via PAS domains) or indirectly by PER and/or TIM activating a
transcriptional repressor or another factor that acts to disrupt dCLK
and/or CYC activation. If repression were caused by the direct
disruption of dCLK and/or CYC activation by PER and/or TIM, then the
minimal E-box needed for activation would also be sufficient for
repression and therefore circadian cycling. There is precedent for such
a small DNA binding target being sufficient for correct spatial and
developmental activation; the SINGLEMINDED and TANGO bHLH-PAS proteins
activate expression along the CNS midline in stage 10 Drosophila embryos using four repeats of the 18 bp midline
enhancer (Wharton et al., 1994 ; Sonnenfeld et al., 1997 ; Darlington et
al., 1998 ).
Several clusters of neurons express per in larvae, including
putative precursors to the adult LNs (Kaneko et al., 1997 ). By the use
of antibodies to PER and TIM, this larval expression was shown to be
rhythmic, but with different phases depending on the neuronal cluster
(Kaneko et al., 1997 ). The CRS/P/lacZ transgene is expressed
normally in larval, pupal, and adult LNs (Figs. 2, 3) (data not shown).
Because the CRS is a target for dCLK and CYC, perhaps these
transcription factors also drive per expression in larvae.
To determine whether this is the case, we tested homozygous BG6;dClkJrk and BG6;Cyc larvae
for -galactosidase expression at the L3 stage and found no staining
in the CNS (Fig. 3G,H). This result
demonstrates that dCLK and CYC are required for per
expression in the larval CNS. Because PER and TIM levels cycle in
larval and pupal LNs (Kaneko et al., 1997 ) and per
expression in larval LNs is dependent on dClk and
Cyc, it is likely that the circadian feedback loop is
operating in larval and pupal LNs as it does in adult LNs. If so, the
feedback loop could convey circadian phase from larvae to adults,
thereby accounting for larval time memory.
The period of locomotor activity rhythms is sensitive to the number of
per gene copies in that half the dosage (one copy of this
X-linked gene in females) results in 0.5-1 hr longer periods and two
to five times the dosage (two to five per copies in males) results in 1-1.5 hr shorter periods (Smith and Konopka, 1982 ). Dosage-dependent alterations are also seen when the dosage of the
dClk and Cyc genes is lowered, resulting in
longer period rhythms (Allada et al., 1998 ; Rutila et al., 1998 ).
Altering the dosage of per or its transcriptional activators
presumably alters per mRNA titer because lower levels of
per mRNA have been shown to correlate with longer period
locomotor activity rhythms (Baylies et al., 1987 ). CRS-driven
per expression results in rhythms that are close to 24 hr,
indicating that this regulatory sequence contains all the information
necessary for feedback loop function in LNs. The period of this rhythm
in CRS-driven per flies, however, is sensitive to the
strength of the basal promoter, with longer periods from the weaker
P-element transposase basal promoter and shorter periods from the
stronger hsp70 basal promoter. The hsp70 basal promoter produces approximately fivefold more RNA than the P-element transposase basal promoter (Hao et al., 1997 ), which results in an ~2
hr difference in behavioral period. This magnitude of difference is
consistent with the dosage studies mentioned above and shows that
factors other than the number of per gene copies or the
levels of per gene activators affect the period of
behavioral rhythms.
In this study we show that a single copy of the CRS is sufficient to
drive per expression in its normal spatial pattern and to
mediate robust behavioral rescue. The per coding and
downstream-flanking sequences do not mediate behavioral rescue (Table
1), showing that the CRS is a necessary transcriptional element. Among
the clock regulatory sequences identified (Anderson and Kay, 1995 ; Bell-Pederson et al., 1996 ; Liu et al., 1996 ; Hao et al., 1997 ), this
is the first case in which a minimal circadian regulatory sequence has
been shown to support both clock gene expression and phenotypic rescue.
By dissecting the CRS further, we will determine whether the E-box is
the key element involved in both circadian and spatial expression or
whether other sequences are required for these functions. The discovery
of an E-box upstream of tim that functions to activate
expression suggests that other rhythmically transcribed feedback loop
components and perhaps clock output genes will be regulated by the same
mechanism in Drosophila (Darlington et al., 1998 ). This work
may also provide insight into mammalian clock function because CLOCK
and BMAL1 activate mPER1 expression via E-boxes upstream of its
putative transcription start site (Gekakis et al., 1998 ).
 |
FOOTNOTES |
Received June 1, 1998; revised Nov. 4, 1998; accepted Nov. 6, 1998.
This study was supported by National Institutes of Health Grant
NS31214. We thank Ralf Stanewsky for providing anti-PER antibody, Isaac
Edery for providing the hspcper DNA construct, and Jeff Hall for providing the BG6 transformant line. We also thank Cai Wu and
Jerry Houl for behavioral analysis and Jerry Houl for his assistance
with experiments. We thank Balaji Krishnan for comments on this manuscript.
Correspondence should be addressed to Dr. Paul Hardin, Department of
Biology, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204-5513.
 |
REFERENCES |
-
Allada R,
White NE,
So WV,
Hall JC,
Rosbash M
(1998)
A mutant Drosophila homolog of mammalian Clock disrupts circadian rhythms and transcription of period and timeless.
Cell
93:791-804[Web of Science][Medline].
-
Anderson SL,
Kay SA
(1995)
Functional dissection of circadian clock and phytochrome regulated transcription of the Arabidopsis CAB2 gene.
Proc Natl Acad Sci USA
92:1500-1504[Abstract/Free Full Text].
-
Bargiello TA,
Jackson FR,
Young MW
(1984)
Restoration of circadian behavioural rhythms by gene transfer in Drosophila.
Nature
312:752-754[Medline].
-
Baylies MK,
Bargiello TA,
Jackson FR,
Young MW
(1987)
Changes in abundance and structure of the per gene product can alter periodicity of the Drosophila clock.
Nature
328:390-392.
-
Baylies MK,
Vosshall LB,
Sehgal A,
Young MW
(1992)
New short period mutations of the Drosophila clock gene per.
Neuron
9:575-581[Web of Science][Medline].
-
Bell-Pederson D,
Dunlap JC,
Loros JJ
(1996)
Distinct cis-acting elements mediate clock, light, and developmental regulation of the Neurospora crassa eas (ccg-2) gene.
Mol Cell Biol
16:513-521[Abstract].
-
Cheng Y,
Gvakharia B,
Hardin PE
(1998)
Two alternatively spliced transcripts from the Drosophila period gene rescue behavioral rhythms with different periods.
Mol Cell Biol
18:6505-6514[Abstract/Free Full Text].
-
Citri Y,
Colot HV,
Jacquier AC,
Yu Q,
Hall JC,
Baltimore D,
Rosbash M
(1987)
A family of unusually spliced biologically active transcripts encoded by a Drosophila clock gene.
Nature
326:42-47[Medline].
-
Curtin KD,
Huang ZJ,
Rosbash M
(1995)
Temporally regulated entry of the Drosophila period protein contributes to the circadian clock.
Neuron
14:365-372[Web of Science][Medline].
-
Darlington TK,
Wager-Smith K,
Ceriani MF,
Staknis D,
Gekakis N,
Steeves TDL,
Weitz CJ,
Takahashi JS,
Kay SA
(1998)
Closing the circadian feedback loop: CLOCK induced transcription of its own inhibitors, period and timeless.
Science
280:1599-1603[Abstract/Free Full Text].
-
Dembinska ME,
Stanewsky R,
Hall JC,
Rosbash M
(1997)
Circadian cycling of a period-lacZ fusion protein in Drosophila: evidence for cyclical degradation.
J Biol Rhythms
12:157-172[Abstract/Free Full Text].
-
Edery I,
Rutila JE,
Rosbash M
(1994a)
Phase shifting of the circadian clock by induction of the Drosophila period protein.
Science
263:237-240[Abstract/Free Full Text].
-
Edery I,
Zwiebel LJ,
Dembinska ME,
Rosbash M
(1994b)
Temporal phosphorylation of the Drosophila period protein.
Proc Natl Acad Sci USA
91:2260-2264[Abstract/Free Full Text].
-
Ewer J,
Hamblen-Coyle M,
Rosbash M,
Hall JC
(1990)
Requirement for period gene expression in the adult and not during development for locomotor activity rhythms of imaginal Drosophila melanogaster.
J Neurogenet
7:31-73[Web of Science][Medline].
-
Frisch B,
Hardin PE,
Hamblen-Coyle MJ,
Rosbash MR,
Hall JC
(1994)
A promoterless period gene mediates behavioral rhythmicity and cyclical per expression in a restricted subset of the Drosophila nervous system.
Neuron
12:555-570[Web of Science][Medline].
-
Gekakis N,
Saez L,
Delahaye-Brown A-M,
Myers MP,
Sehgal A,
Young MW,
Weitz CJ
(1995)
Isolation of timeless by PER protein interaction: defective interaction between timeless protein and long-period mutant PERL.
Science
270:815-819[Abstract/Free Full Text].
-
Gekakis N,
Staknis D,
Nguyen HB,
Davis FC,
Wilsbacher LD,
King DP,
Takahashi JS,
Weitz CJ
(1998)
Role of the CLOCK protein in the mammalian circadian mechanism.
Science
280:1564-1569[Abstract/Free Full Text].
-
Hall JC
(1995)
Tripping along the trail to the molecular mechanisms of biological clocks.
Trends Neurosci
18:230-240[Web of Science][Medline].
-
Hamblen M,
Zehring WA,
Kyriacou CP,
Reddy P,
Yu Q,
Wheeler DA,
Zwiebel LJ,
Konopka RJ,
Rosbash M,
Hall JC
(1986)
Germ-line transformation involving DNA from the period locus in Drosophila melanogaster: overlapping genomic fragments that restore circadian and ultradian rhythmicity to per0 and per
mutants.
J Neurogenet
3:249-291[Web of Science][Medline]. -
Hao H,
Allen DL,
Hardin PE
(1997)
A circadian enhancer mediates PER-dependent mRNA cycling in Drosophila.
Mol Cell Biol
17:3687-3693[Abstract].
-
Hardin PE,
Sehgal A
(1998)
Molecular components of a model circadian clock: lessons from Drosophila.
In: Handbook of behavioral state control: molecular and physiological mechanisms (Lydic R,
Baghdoyan H,
eds), pp 61-74. Boca Raton, FL: CRC.
-
Hardin PE,
Hall JC,
Rosbash M
(1990)
Feedback of the Drosophila period gene product on circadian cycling of its messenger RNA levels.
Nature
342:536-540.
-
Hardin PE,
Hall JC,
Rosbash M
(1992)
Circadian oscillations in period gene mRNA levels are transcriptionally regulated.
Proc Natl Acad Sci USA
89:11711-11715[Abstract/Free Full Text].
-
Hardin SH,
Jones LB,
Homayouni R,
McCollum JC
(1996)
Octamer primed cycle sequencing: design of an optimized primer library.
Genome Res
6:545-550[Abstract/Free Full Text].
-
Ikeda M,
Nomura M
(1997)
cDNA cloning and tissue-specific expression of a novel basic- helix-loop-helix/PAS protein (BMAL1) and identification of alternatively spliced variants with alternative translation initiation site usage.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun
233:258-264[Web of Science][Medline].
-
Kaneko M,
Helfrich-Forster C,
Hall JC
(1997)
Spatial and temporal expression of the period and timeless genes in the developing nervous system of Drosophila: newly identified pacemaker candidates and novel features of clock gene product cycling.
J Neurosci
17:6745-6760[Abstract/Free Full Text].
-
King DP,
Zhao Y,
Sangoram AM,
Wilsbacher LD,
Tanaka M,
Antoch MP,
Steeves TDL,
Vitaterna MH,
Kornhauser JM,
Lowrey PL,
Turek FW,
Takahashi JS
(1997)
Positional cloning of the mouse circadian Clock gene.
Cell
89:641-653[Web of Science][Medline].
-
Kloss B,
Price JL,
Saez L,
Balu J,
Rothenfluh A,
Wesley C,
Young MW
(1998)
The Drosophila clock gene double-time encodes a protein closely related to human casein kinase I
.
Cell
94:97-107[Web of Science][Medline]. -
Liu X,
Lorenz LJ,
Yu Q,
Hall JC,
Rosbash M
(1988)
Spatial and temporal expression of the period gene in Drosophila melanogaster.
Genes Dev
2:228-238[Abstract/Free Full Text].
-
Liu X,
Yu Q,
Huang Z,
Zwiebel LJ,
Hall JC,
Rosbash M
(1991)
The strength and periodicity of D. melanogaster circadian rhythms are differentially affected by alterations in period gene expression.
Neuron
6:753-766[Web of Science][Medline].
-
Liu Z,
Taub CC,
McClung CR
(1996)
Identification of an Arabidopsis thaliana ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate caboxylase/oxygenase activase (RCA) minimal promoter regulated by light and the circadian clock.
Plant Physiol
112:43-51[Abstract].
-
O'Kane C,
Gehring WJ
(1987)
Detection in situ of genomic regulatory elements in Drosophila.
Proc Natl Acad Sci USA
84:9123-9127[Abstract/Free Full Text].
-
Price JL,
Dembinska ME,
Young MW,
Rosbash M
(1995)
Suppression of PERIOD protein abundance and circadian cycling by the Drosophila clock mutation timeless.
EMBO J
14:4044-4049[Web of Science][Medline].
-
Price JL,
Blau J,
Rothenfluh A,
Abodeely M,
Kloss B,
Young MW
(1998)
double-time is a new Drosophila clock gene that regulates PERIOD protein accumulation.
Cell
94:83-95[Web of Science][Medline].
-
Rosato E,
Piccin A,
Kyriacou CP
(1997)
Circadian rhythms: from behavior to molecules.
Bioessays
19:1075-1082[Web of Science][Medline].
-
Rutila JE,
Suri V,
Le M,
So WV,
Rosbash M,
Hall JC
(1998)
CYCLE is a second bHLH-PAS clock protein essential for circadian rhythmicity and transcription of Drosophila period and timeless.
Cell
93:805-814[Web of Science][Medline].
-
Saez L,
Young MW
(1996)
Regulation of nuclear entry of the Drosophila clock proteins period and timeless.
Neuron
17:911-920[Web of Science][Medline].
-
Sehgal A,
Price J,
Young MW
(1992)
Ontogeny of a biological clock in Drosophila melanogaster.
Proc Natl Acad Sci USA
89:1423-1427[Abstract/Free Full Text].
-
Sehgal A,
Price JL,
Man B,
Young MW
(1994)
Loss of circadian behavioral rhythms and per RNA oscillations in the Drosophila mutant timeless.
Science
263:1603-1606[Abstract/Free Full Text].
-
Sehgal A,
Rothenfluh-Hilfiker A,
Hunter-Ensor M,
Chen Y,
Myers MP,
Young MW
(1995)
Rhythmic expression of timeless: a basis for promoting circadian cycles in period gene autoregulation.
Science
270:808-810[Abstract/Free Full Text].
-
Siwicki KK,
Eastman C,
Petersen G,
Rosbash M,
Hall JC
(1988)
Antibodies to the period gene product of Drosophila reveal diverse distribution and rhythmic changes in the visual system.
Neuron
1:141-150[Web of Science][Medline].
-
Smith RF,
Konopka RJ
(1982)
Effects of dosage alterations at the per locus on the period of the circadian clock of Drosophila.
Mol Gen Genet
189:30-36.
-
Smith SA,
Shepherd D
(1996)
Central afferent projections of proprioceptive sensory neurons in Drosophila revealed with the enhancer-trap technique.
J Comp Neurol
364:311-323[Web of Science][Medline].
-
So VW,
Rosbash M
(1997)
Post-transcriptional regulation contributes to Drosophila clock gene mRNA cycling.
EMBO J
16:7146-7155[Web of Science][Medline].
-
Sonnenfeld M,
Ward M,
Nystrom G,
Mosher J,
Stahl S,
Crews S
(1997)
The Drosophila tango gene encodes a bHLH-PAS protein that is orthologous to mammalian Arnt and controls CNS midline and tracheal development.
Development
124:4571-4582[Abstract].
-
Stanewsky R,
Frisch B,
Brandes C,
Hamblen-Coyle MJ,
Rosbash M,
Hall JC
(1997)
Temporal and spatial expression patterns of transgenes containing increasing amounts of the Drosophila clock gene period and a lacZ reporter: mapping elements of the PER protein involved in circadian cycling.
J Neurosci
17:676-696[Abstract/Free Full Text].
-
Thummel CS,
Pirotta V
(1991)
New pCaSpeR P-element vectors.
Drosoph Inf Serv
71:150.
-
Vosshall LB,
Price JL,
Sehgal A,
Saez L,
Young MW
(1994)
Block in nuclear localization of period protein by a second clock mutation, timeless.
Science
263:1606-1609[Abstract/Free Full Text].
-
Wharton KA,
Crews ST
(1993)
CNS midline enhancers of the Drosophila slit and Toll genes.
Mech Dev
40:141-154[Web of Science][Medline].
-
Wharton KA,
Franks RG,
Kasai Y,
Crews ST
(1994)
Control of CNS midline transcription by asymmetric E-box-like elements: similarity to xenobiotic responsive regulation.
Development
120:3563-3569[Abstract].
-
Young MW,
Jackson FR,
Shin H-S,
Bargiello TA
(1985)
A biological clock in Drosophila.
Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol
50:865-875[Abstract/Free Full Text].
-
Zeng H,
Hardin PE,
Rosbash M
(1994)
Constitutive overexpression of the Drosophila period protein inhibits period mRNA cycling.
EMBO J
13:3590-3598[Web of Science][Medline].
-
Zeng H,
Qian Z,
Myers MP,
Rosbash M
(1996)
A light-entrainment mechanism for the Drosophila circadian clock.
Nature
380:129-135[Medline].
-
Zerr DM,
Hall JC,
Rosbash M,
Siwicki KK
(1990)
Circadian fluctuations of period protein immunoreactivity in the CNS and the visual system of Drosophila.
J Neurosci
10:2749-2762[Abstract].
Copyright © 1999 Society for Neuroscience 0270-6474/99/193987-08$05.00/0
This article has been cited by other articles:

|
 |

|
 |
 
W. Yu, H. Zheng, J. L. Price, and P. E. Hardin
DOUBLETIME Plays a Noncatalytic Role To Mediate CLOCK Phosphorylation and Repress CLOCK-Dependent Transcription within the Drosophila Circadian Clock
Mol. Cell. Biol.,
March 15, 2009;
29(6):
1452 - 1458.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
P. Taylor and P. E. Hardin
Rhythmic E-Box Binding by CLK-CYC Controls Daily Cycles in per and tim Transcription and Chromatin Modifications
Mol. Cell. Biol.,
July 15, 2008;
28(14):
4642 - 4652.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
A. Matsumoto, M. Ukai-Tadenuma, R. G. Yamada, J. Houl, K. D. Uno, T. Kasukawa, B. Dauwalder, T. Q. Itoh, K. Takahashi, R. Ueda, et al.
A functional genomics strategy reveals clockwork orange as a transcriptional regulator in the Drosophila circadian clock
Genes & Dev.,
July 1, 2007;
21(13):
1687 - 1700.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. H. Houl, W. Yu, S. M. Dudek, and P. E. Hardin
Drosophila CLOCK Is Constitutively Expressed in Circadian Oscillator and Non-Oscillator Cells
J Biol Rhythms,
April 1, 2006;
21(2):
93 - 103.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
W. Yu, H. Zheng, J. H. Houl, B. Dauwalder, and P. E. Hardin
PER-dependent rhythms in CLK phosphorylation and E-box binding regulate circadian transcription.
Genes & Dev.,
March 15, 2006;
20(6):
723 - 733.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. D. Drapeau, S. A. Cyran, M. M. Viering, P. K. Geyer, and A. D. Long
A cis-regulatory Sequence Within the yellow Locus of Drosophila melanogaster Required for Normal Male Mating Success
Genetics,
February 1, 2006;
172(2):
1009 - 1030.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S.-H. Yoo, C. H. Ko, P. L. Lowrey, E. D. Buhr, E.-j. Song, S. Chang, O. J. Yoo, S. Yamazaki, C. Lee, and J. S. Takahashi
A noncanonical E-box enhancer drives mouse Period2 circadian oscillations in vivo
PNAS,
February 15, 2005;
102(7):
2608 - 2613.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
P. E. Hardin
Transcription Regulation within the Circadian Clock: The E-box and Beyond
J Biol Rhythms,
October 1, 2004;
19(5):
348 - 360.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
L. J. Ashmore, S. Sathyanarayanan, D. W. Silvestre, M. M. Emerson, P. Schotland, and A. Sehgal
Novel Insights into the Regulation of the Timeless Protein
J. Neurosci.,
August 27, 2003;
23(21):
7810 - 7819.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
T. P. Michael and C. R. McClung
Phase-Specific Circadian Clock Regulatory Elements in Arabidopsis
Plant Physiology,
October 1, 2002;
130(2):
627 - 638.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
T. K. Darlington, L. C. Lyons, P. E. Hardin, and S. A. Kay
The period E-box Is Sufficient to Drive Circadian Oscillation of Transcription In Vivo
J Biol Rhythms,
December 1, 2000;
15(6):
462 - 470.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
L. C. Lyons, T. K. Darlington, H. Hao, J. Houl, S. A. Kay, and P. E. Hardin
Specific Sequences Outside the E-box Are Required for Proper per Expression and Behavioral Rescue
J Biol Rhythms,
December 1, 2000;
15(6):
472 - 482.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
C. P. Kyriacou and E. Rosato
Squaring Up the E-box
J Biol Rhythms,
December 1, 2000;
15(6):
483 - 490.
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
W. V. So, L. Sarov-Blat, C. K. Kotarski, M. J. McDonald, R. Allada, and M. Rosbash
takeout, a Novel Drosophila Gene under Circadian Clock Transcriptional Regulation
Mol. Cell. Biol.,
September 15, 2000;
20(18):
6935 - 6944.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. P. Toma, G. Bloch, D. Moore, and G. E. Robinson
Changes in period mRNA levels in the brain and division of labor in honey bee colonies
PNAS,
June 6, 2000;
97(12):
6914 - 6919.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
G. Jean-Louis, D. F. Kripke, R. J. Cole, and J. A. Elliott
No Melatonin Suppression by Illumination of Popliteal Fossae or Eyelids
J Biol Rhythms,
June 1, 2000;
15(3):
265 - 269.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. A. Ripperger, L. P. Shearman, S. M. Reppert, and U. Schibler
CLOCK, an essential pacemaker component, controls expression of the circadian transcription factor DBP
Genes & Dev.,
March 15, 2000;
14(6):
679 - 689.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
K. Bae, C. Lee, P. E. Hardin, and I. Edery
dCLOCK Is Present in Limiting Amounts and Likely Mediates Daily Interactions between the dCLOCK-CYC Transcription Factor and the PER-TIM Complex
J. Neurosci.,
March 1, 2000;
20(5):
1746 - 1753.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
C. Lee, K. Bae, and I. Edery
PER and TIM Inhibit the DNA Binding Activity of a Drosophila CLOCK-CYC/dBMAL1 Heterodimer without Disrupting Formation of the Heterodimer: a Basis for Circadian Transcription
Mol. Cell. Biol.,
August 1, 1999;
19(8):
5316 - 5325.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|
|

|