Leptin phase-advances the rat suprachiasmatic circadian clock in vitro.
The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) controls circadian rhythms in mammals. The SCN may also participate in regulating body metabolism and energy. Similar to other hypothalamic nuclei, the SCN have been reported to contain glucose-sensitive neurons and receptors for the adipose tissue hormone, leptin. Here we investigated leptin effects on the SCN clock. Our results demonstrate that the SCN circadian clock, when isolated in vitro, can be phase advanced by leptin in a dose-dependent fashion that does not require non-SCN hypothalamic tissue. Phase advances are induced at all circadian times except late subjective night. These data suggest that peripheral signals of energy and metabolism directly modulate the circadian pacemaker in mammals.
Prosser
Rebecca A
RA
Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, M407 Walter's Life Sciences Building, Knoxville TN 37996, USA. rprosser@utk.edu
Bergeron
Harriet E
HE
D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D020738:Leptin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D020738:Leptin