title: Complexity of the Neurospora crassa circadian clock system: multiple loops and oscillators.
abstract: Organisms from bacteria to humans use a circadian clock to control daily biochemical, physiological, and behavioral rhythms. We review evidence from Neurospora crassa that suggests that the circadian clock is organized as a network of genes and proteins that form coupled evening- and morning-specific oscillatory loops that can function autonomously, respond differently to environmental inputs, and regulate phase-specific outputs. There is also evidence for coupled morning and evening oscillator loops in plants, insects, and mammals, suggesting conservation of clock organization. From a systems perspective, fungi provide a powerful model organism for investigating oscillator complexity, communication between oscillators, and addressing reasons why the system has evolved to be so complex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: de Paula
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Vitalini
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Gomer
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bell-Pedersen
mesh_terms: D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D025461:Feedback, Physiological; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D008954:Models, Biological; D009492:Neurospora crassa / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C087405:FRQ protein, Neurospora crassa; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C105589:wc-1 protein, Neurospora crassa; C103772:white collar 2 protein, Neurospora