title: Circadian light-input pathways in Drosophila.
abstract: Light is the most important environmental cue to entrain the circadian clock in most animals. In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, the light entrainment mechanisms of the clock have been well-studied. The Drosophila brain contains approximately 150 neurons that rhythmically express circadian clock genes. These neurons are called "clock neurons" and control behavioral activity rhythms. Many clock neurons express the Cryptochrome (CRY) protein, which is sensitive to UV and blue light, and thus enables clock neurons deep in the brain to directly perceive light. In addition to the CRY protein, external photoreceptors in the Drosophila eyes play an important role in circadian light-input pathways. Recent studies have provided new insights into the mechanisms that integrate these light inputs into the circadian network of the brain. In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge on the light entrainment pathways in the Drosophila circadian clock.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University , Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Taishi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshii
authors.affiliation: Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg , Am Hubland , Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hermann-Luibl
authors.affiliation: Neurobiology and Genetics, Theodor-Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg , Am Hubland , Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Helfrich-Förster
keywords: Drosophila melanogaster; circadian clock; circadian rhythm; cryptochrome; light entrainment; photoreceptor; pigment-dispersing factor