title: The role of ions and second messengers in circadian clock function.
abstract: The fact that single cells can exhibit circadian rhythmicity simultaneously in quite different processes, such as those of photosynthesis, bioluminescence, and cell division, suggests that membrane-bound compartmentalization is important for temporal organization. Since these rhythms, as well as others, are known to be affected by changes in the ionic environment and are probably membrane-bound systems, it is not surprising that transmembrane ion transport or flux has been proposed to be a key feature of the underlying circadian oscillator(s). Likewise, signal transduction along the entrainment pathway leading to the clock, among the elements, or "gears," of the timing loop itself, and within the output pathway between the oscillator and its "hands" likely is mediated by ions and second messengers. In this overview, we examine the theoretical and experimental evidence supporting the possible roles of intracellular free calcium and cyclic AMP in these capacities, particularly in view of the fact that oscillations in the concentrations of both species have been proposed to form the basis of pacemaker activity and other biological rhythms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, State University of New York, Stony Brook 11794.
authors.forename: L N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Edmunds
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Carré
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tamponnet
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tong
mesh_terms: D015105:3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases / Q000378:metabolism; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D015290:Second Messenger Systems / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000242:Cyclic AMP; D015105:3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases; D002118:Calcium