title: Communication between circadian clusters: The key to a plastic network.
abstract: Drosophila melanogaster is a model organism that has been instrumental in understanding the circadian clock at different levels. A range of studies on the anatomical and neurochemical properties of clock neurons in the fly led to a model of interacting neural circuits that control circadian behavior. Here we focus on recent research on the dynamics of the multiple communication pathways between clock neurons, and, particularly, on how the circadian timekeeping system responds to changes in environmental conditions. It is increasingly clear that the fly clock employs multiple signalling cues, such as neuropeptides, fast neurotransmitters, and other signalling molecules, in the dynamic interplay between neuronal clusters. These neuronal groups seem to interact in a plastic fashion, e.g., rearranging their hierarchy in response to changing environmental conditions. A picture is emerging supporting that these dynamic mechanisms are in place to provide an optimal balance between flexibility and an extraordinary accuracy.
authors: Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom. Electronic address: e.beckwith@imperial.ac.uk.
authors: Esteban J
authors: EJ
authors: Beckwith
authors: Laboratorio de Genética del Comportamiento, Fundación Instituto Leloir, IIB-BA-CONICET, Buenos Aires 1405 BWE, Argentina. Electronic address: fceriani@leloir.org.ar.
authors: M Fernanda
authors: MF
authors: Ceriani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication; D057906:Circadian Clocks / Q000502:physiology*; D004777:Environment; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology
keywords: Circadian network; Complex rhythm; Drosophila; Intercellular communication; Neuropeptide; Neurotransmitter