A stretch from the periphery helps brain clocks feel the daily heat.
In this issue of Neuron, Sehadova et al. show that synchronization of circadian clocks in the brains of Drosophila by daily temperature changes requires chordotonal organs, mechanosensory structures that function as stretch receptors in insects. This is strikingly different from the more direct path by which brain clocks perceive light.
Edery
Isaac
I
Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA. edery@cabm.rutgers.edu
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D004330:Drosophila / Q000502:physiology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008027:Light; D008954:Models, Biological; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology