Perinatal photoperiod imprints the circadian clock.
Using real-time gene expression imaging and behavioral analysis, we found that the perinatal photoperiod has lasting effects on the circadian rhythms expressed by clock neurons as well as on mouse behavior, and sets the responsiveness of the biological clock to subsequent changes in photoperiod. These developmental gene × environment interactions tune circadian clock responses to subsequent seasonal photoperiods and may contribute to the influence of season on neurobehavioral disorders in humans.
Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Christopher M
CM
Ciarleglio
John C
JC
Axley
Benjamin R
BR
Strauss
Karen L
KL
Gamble
Douglas G
DG
McMahon
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D056926:CLOCK Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D057906:Circadian Clocks / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D017440:Photoperiod; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology
D056926:CLOCK Proteins