Motivational Modulation of Rhythms of the Expression of the Clock Protein PER2 in the Limbic Forebrain.
Key molecular components of the mammalian circadian clock are expressed rhythmically in many brain areas and peripheral tissues in mammals. Here we review findings from our work on rhythms of expression of the clock protein Period2 (PER2) in four regions of the limbic forebrain known to be important in the regulation of motivational and emotional states. These regions include the oval nucleus of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNSTov), the central nucleus of the amygdala (CEA), the basolateral amygdala (BLA), and the dentate gyrus (DG). Daily rhythms in the expression of PER2 in these regions are controlled by the master circadian pacemaker, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), but, importantly, they are also sensitive to homeostatic perturbations and to hormonal states that directly influence motivated behavior. Thus, circadian information from the SCN and homeostatic signals are integrated in these regions of the limbic forebrain to affect the temporal organization of motivational and emotional processes.
Amir
Shimon
S
Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology/Groupe de Recherche en Neurobiologie Comportementale, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC H4B 1R6 Canada. Shimon.amir@concordia.ca
Stewart
Jane
J
D000679:Amygdala / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001683:Biological Clocks; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D018891:Dentate Gyrus / Q000502:physiology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000378:metabolism; D042341:Gonadal Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D008032:Limbic System / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D009042:Motivation; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D056950:Period Circadian Proteins; D012686:Septal Nuclei / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000502:physiology; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D042341:Gonadal Hormones; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C513311:Per2 protein, rat; D056950:Period Circadian Proteins; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D004298:Dopamine