Light activates the adrenal gland: timing of gene expression and glucocorticoid release

Atsushi Ishida; Tatsushi Mutoh; Tomoko Ueyama; Hideki Bando; Satoru Masubuchi; Daiichiro Nakahara; Gozoh Tsujimoto; Hitoshi Okamura

doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2005.09.009

Light activates the adrenal gland: timing of gene expression and glucocorticoid release

Cell Metab. 2005 Nov;2(5):297-307. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2005.09.009.

Authors

Atsushi Ishida¹, Tatsushi Mutoh, Tomoko Ueyama, Hideki Bando, Satoru Masubuchi, Daiichiro Nakahara, Gozoh Tsujimoto, Hitoshi Okamura

Affiliation

¹ Division of Molecular Brain Science, Department of Brain Science, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan.

PMID: 16271530
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2005.09.009

Abstract

Light is a powerful synchronizer of the circadian rhythms, and bright light therapy is known to improve metabolic and hormonal status of circadian rhythm sleep disorders, although its mechanism is poorly understood. In the present study, we revealed that light induces gene expression in the adrenal gland via the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)-sympathetic nervous system. Moreover, this gene expression accompanies the surge of plasma and brain corticosterone levels without accompanying activation of the hypothalamo-adenohypophysial axis. The abolishment after SCN lesioning, and the day-night difference of light-induced adrenal gene expression and corticosterone release, clearly indicate that this phenomenon is closely linked to the circadian clock. The magnitude of corticostereone response is dose dependently correlated with the light intensity. The light-induced clock-dependent secretion of glucocorticoids adjusts cellular metabolisms to the new light-on environment.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adrenal Cortex Hormones / biosynthesis
Adrenal Cortex Hormones / metabolism*
Adrenal Glands / metabolism*
Adrenal Glands / radiation effects*
Animals
Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
Circadian Rhythm / physiology*
Circadian Rhythm / radiation effects*
Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
Genes, Reporter
Glucocorticoids / biosynthesis
Glucocorticoids / metabolism*
Light*
MAP Kinase Signaling System / radiation effects
Male
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Mice, Transgenic
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / metabolism
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / metabolism
Nuclear Proteins / genetics
Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
Period Circadian Proteins
RNA, Messenger / metabolism
Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / radiation effects
Sympathetic Nervous System / radiation effects
Transcription Factors / genetics
Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Cell Cycle Proteins
Glucocorticoids
Nuclear Proteins
Per1 protein, mouse
Per2 protein, mouse
Period Circadian Proteins
RNA, Messenger
Transcription Factors
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3