title: The logic of circadian organization in Drosophila.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, interlocked negative transcription/translation feedback loops provide the core of the circadian clock that generates rhythmic phenotypes. Although the current molecular model portrays the oscillator as cell autonomous, cross-talk among clock neurons is essential for robust cycling behavior. Nevertheless, the functional organization of the neuronal network remains obscure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Here we show that shortening or lengthening of the circadian period of locomotor activity can be obtained either by targeting different groups of clock cells with the same genetic manipulation or by challenging the same group of cells with activators and repressors of neuronal excitability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on these observations we interpret circadian rhythmicity as an emerging property of the circadian network and we propose an initial model for its architectural design.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
authors.forename: Stephane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dissel
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
authors.forename: Celia N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
authors.forename: Özge
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Özkaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hemsley
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
authors.forename: Charalambos P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Kyriacou
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK. Electronic address: er6@le.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Ezio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rosato
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007814:Larva / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D009043:Motor Activity
chemical_list: D029721:Drosophila Proteins