Circadian rhythm of contrast sensitivity is regulated by a dopamine-neuronal PAS-domain protein 2-adenylyl cyclase 1 signaling pathway in retinal ganglion cells.
Spatial variation in light intensity, called spatial contrast, comprises much of the visual information perceived by mammals, and the relative ability to detect contrast is referred to as contrast sensitivity (Purves et al., 2012). Recently, retinal dopamine D4 receptors (D4Rs) have been implicated in modulating contrast sensitivity (Jackson et al., 2012); however, the cellular and molecular mechanisms have not been elucidated. Our study demonstrates a circadian rhythm of contrast sensitivity that peaks during the daytime, and that its regulation involves interactions of D4Rs, the clock gene Npas2, and the clock-controlled gene adenylyl cyclase 1 (Adcy1) in a subset of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Targeted disruption of the gene encoding D4Rs reduces the amplitude of the contrast sensitivity rhythm by reducing daytime sensitivity and abolishes the rhythmic expression of Npas2 and Adcy1 mRNA in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) of the retina. Npas2(-/-) and Adcy1(-/-) mice show strikingly similar reductions in the contrast sensitivity rhythm to that in mice lacking D4Rs. Moreover, Adcy1 transcript rhythms were abolished in the GCL of Npas2(-/-) mice. Luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that the Adcy1 promoter is selectively activated by neuronal PAS-domain protein 2 (NPAS2)/BMAL1. Our results indicate that the contrast sensitivity rhythm is modulated by D4Rs via a signaling pathway that involves NPAS2-mediated circadian regulation of Adcy1. Hence, we have identified a circadian clock mechanism in a subset of RGCs that modulates an important aspect of retinal physiology and visual processing.
Departments of Ophthalmology and Pharmacology, and Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, Translational Clinical Research Laboratory, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Signature Research Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorder, and Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 169712, Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, and Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195.
Christopher K
CK
Hwang
Shyam S
SS
Chaurasia
Chad R
CR
Jackson
Guy C-K
GC
Chan
Daniel R
DR
Storm
P Michael
PM
Iuvone
D056930:ARNTL Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012160:Retina; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D014162:Transfection; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D056930:ARNTL Transcription Factors; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D004298:Dopamine; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4; D001616:beta-Galactosidase; C538961:Bmal1 protein, mouse; C491259:Npas2 protein, mouse; C106670:adenylyl cyclase 1