title: ELF4 is required for oscillatory properties of the circadian clock.
abstract: Circadian clocks are required to coordinate metabolism and physiology with daily changes in the environment. Such clocks have several distinctive features, including a free-running rhythm of approximately 24 h and the ability to entrain to both light or temperature cycles (zeitgebers). We have previously characterized the EARLY FLOWERING4 (ELF4) locus of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) as being important for robust rhythms. Here, it is shown that ELF4 is necessary for at least two core clock functions: entrainment to an environmental cycle and rhythm sustainability under constant conditions. We show that elf4 demonstrates clock input defects in light responsiveness and in circadian gating. Rhythmicity in elf4 could be driven by an environmental cycle, but an increased sensitivity to light means the circadian system of elf4 plants does not entrain normally. Expression of putative core clock genes and outputs were characterized in various ELF4 backgrounds to establish the molecular network of action. ELF4 was found to be intimately associated with the CIRCADIAN CLOCK-ASSOCIATED1 (CCA1)/LONG ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL (LHY)-TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION1 (TOC1) feedback loop because, under free run, ELF4 is required to regulate the expression of CCA1 and TOC1 and, further, elf4 is locked in the evening phase of this feedback loop. ELF4, therefore, can be considered a component of the central CCA1/LHY-TOC1 feedback loop in the plant circadian clock.
authors: Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RB, United Kingdom.
authors: Harriet G
authors: HG
authors: McWatters
authors: Elsebeth
authors: E
authors: Kolmos
authors: Anthony
authors: A
authors: Hall
authors: Mark R
authors: MR
authors: Doyle
authors: Richard M
authors: RM
authors: Amasino
authors: Péter
authors: P
authors: Gyula
authors: Ferenc
authors: F
authors: Nagy
authors: Andrew J
authors: AJ
authors: Millar
authors: Seth J
authors: SJ
authors: Davis
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000235:genetics; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D008027:Light; D009154:Mutation; D017440:Photoperiod; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013696:Temperature; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; C114425:CCA1 protein, Arabidopsis; C465973:ELF4 protein, Arabidopsis; C411822:TOC1 protein, Arabidopsis; D014157:Transcription Factors