Period gene expression in mouse endocrine tissues.
Circadian rhythms are generated by the oscillating expression of the Per1 and Per2 genes, which are expressed not only in the central brain pacemaker but also in peripheral tissues. Hormones are likely to coordinate physiological function in time. We performed in situ hybridization to localize mPer1 and mPer2 mRNA to particular cell types and tissue compartments in adrenal, thyroid, and testis. BALB/c mice maintained in a 12:12-h light-dark cycle expressed mPer1 in adrenal medulla, particularly in late afternoon and early night. mPer2 mRNA was more intensely expressed in adrenal cortex, especially in afternoon and evening. mPer1 mRNA was detected in thyroid. mPer1 was found in some but not all seminiferous tubules of each mouse at all times of day. Quantitation in C57BL/6 mice revealed a significant increase in the number of heavily labeled seminiferous tubules early in the night. Consistent with in situ hybridization, immunocytochemistry showed PER1 protein in spermatocytes and spermatids (spermatogenic stages VII-XII). Staining in spermatogonia and interstitial cells was inconsistent. Double labeling with 5'-bromodeoxyuridine showed PER1 expression first occurring 5 days after DNA replication. We conclude that mPeriod genes are expressed in peripheral endocrine glands. Central regulation, adenohypophyseal control, and functional importance of expression and phase remain to be elucidated.
Bittman
Eric L
EL
Dept. of Biology, Program in Neuroscience, and Center for Neuroendocrine Studies, Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA. elb@bio.umass.edu
Doherty
Leo
L
Huang
Liyue
L
Paroskie
Allison
A
D000818:Animals; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D004702:Endocrine Glands / Q000502:physiology*; D015870:Gene Expression; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D056950:Period Circadian Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C539023:Per1 protein, mouse; C513312:Per2 protein, mouse; D056950:Period Circadian Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors