title: Activation of phospholipase C mimics the phase shifting effects of light on melatonin rhythms in retinal photoreceptors.
abstract: Many aspects of retinal photoreceptor function and physiology are regulated by the circadian clocks in these cells. It is well established that light is the primary stimulus that entrains these clocks; yet, the biochemical cascade(s) mediating light's effects on these clocks remains unknown. This deficiency represents a significant gap in our fundamental understanding of photoreceptor signaling cascades and their functions. In this study, we utilized re-aggregated spheroid cultures prepared from embryonic chick retina to determine if activation of phospholipase C in photoreceptors in the absence of light can phase shift the melatonin secretion rhythms of these cells in a manner similar to that induced by light. We show that spheroid cultures rhythmically secrete melatonin and that these melatonin rhythms can be dynamically phase shifted by exposing the cultures to an appropriately timed light pulse. Importantly, we show that activation of phospholipase C using m-3M3FBS in the absence of light induces a phase delay in photoreceptor melatonin rhythms that mirrors that induced by light. The implication of this finding is that the light signaling cascade that entrains photoreceptor melatonin rhythms involves activation of phospholipase C.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Semple-Rowland
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America.
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Madorsky
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bolch
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America.
authors.forename: W Clay
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002642:Chick Embryo; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D008027:Light; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D020419:Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate / Q000378:metabolism*; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques; D010738:Type C Phospholipases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010738:Type C Phospholipases; D008550:Melatonin