title: Membrane Currents, Gene Expression, and Circadian Clocks.
abstract: Neuronal circadian oscillators in the mammalian andDrosophilabrain express a circadian clock comprised of interlocking gene transcription feedback loops. The genetic clock regulates the membrane electrical activity by poorly understood signaling pathways to generate a circadian pattern of action potential firing. During the day, Na+channels contribute an excitatory drive for the spontaneous activity of circadian clock neurons. Multiple types of K+channels regulate the action potential firing pattern and the nightly reduction in neuronal activity. The membrane electrical activity possibly signaling by changes in intracellular Ca2+and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) regulates the activity of the gene clock. A decline in the signaling pathways that link the gene clock and neural activity during aging and disease may weaken the circadian output and generate significant impacts on human health.
authors.affiliation: Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences and Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239.
authors.forename: Charles N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology and Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520.
authors.forename: Michael N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Nitabach
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90024.
authors.forename: Christopher S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Colwell
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology*; D057906:Circadian Clocks; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*