title: Robust circadian rhythmicity of Per1 and Per2 mutant mice in constant light, and dynamics of Per1 and Per2 gene expression under long and short photoperiods.
abstract: The Per1 and Per2 genes are components of the mammalian circadian clock. Mutations in these genes alter phase resetting in response to a nocturnal light pulse, and Per2 mutant mice are known to become arrhythmic in constant darkness. We show that under constant light conditions, Per2 mutant mice exhibit robust activity rhythms as well as body temperature rhythms with a period length that is less than 24 h. In Per1 mutants, the period length of both activity and body temperature rhythms is longer than 24 h in constant light. Per1 mutants prolong their period length (tao) when illuminance is increased, whereas Per2 mutants shorten their endogenous period. Additionally, the authors show that the circadian pattern of Per1 and Per2 gene expression in mice is modified under different photoperiods and that there is a mutual influence of these genes on their timing of expression. We propose that, in mice, the phase relationship between Per1 and Per2 gene expression might be critical for transducing day length information to the organism. Per1 could be part of a morning oscillator tracking dawn, and Per2 could be part of an evening oscillator tracking dusk.
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine of Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Steinlechner
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jacobmeier
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scherbarth
authors.forename: Haiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dernbach
authors.forename: Friederike
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kruse
authors.forename: Urs
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Albrecht
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D008027:Light; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D009154:Mutation / Q000502:physiology*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D056950:Period Circadian Proteins; D017440:Photoperiod; D013997:Time Factors; D014157:Transcription Factors
chemical_list: D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C539023:Per1 protein, mouse; C513312:Per2 protein, mouse; D056950:Period Circadian Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors