Behavioral and hormonal regulation of expression of the clock protein, PER2, in the central extended amygdala.
PER2, a key molecular component of the mammalian circadian clock, is expressed rhythmically in many brain areas and peripheral tissues in mammals. Here we review findings from our work on the nature and regulation of rhythms of expression of PER2 in two anatomically and neurochemically defined subregions of the central extended amygdala, the oval nucleus of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNSTov) and the central nucleus of the amygdala (CEA). Daily rhythms in the expression of PER2 in these regions are coupled to those of the master circadian pacemaker, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) but, importantly, they are sensitive to homeostatic perturbations and to hormonal states that directly influence motivated behavior.
Amir
Shimon
S
Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology/Groupe de Recherche en Neurobiologie Comportementale, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada. Shimon.amir@concordia.ca
Stewart
Jane
J
D000679:Amygdala / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D004777:Environment; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology*; D056950:Period Circadian Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000494:pharmacology; D012686:Septal Nuclei / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism
D006728:Hormones; D056950:Period Circadian Proteins; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded