Lhx1 maintains synchrony among circadian oscillator neurons of the SCN

The robustness and limited plasticity of the master circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is attributed to strong intercellular communication among its constituent neurons. However, factors that specify this characteristic feature of the SCN are unknown. Here, we identified Lhx1 as a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:eLife 2014-07, Vol.3, p.e03357-e03357
Main Authors: Hatori, Megumi, Gill, Shubhroz, Mure, Ludovic S, Goulding, Martyn, O'Leary, Dennis D M, Panda, Satchidananda
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cell Communication
Cell signaling
Circadian Clocks - genetics
Circadian rhythm
Circadian rhythms
Coupling factors
Electrodes
Gene expression
Gene Expression Profiling
Gene Expression Regulation
Genomics and Evolutionary Biology
Jet Lag Syndrome - genetics
Jet Lag Syndrome - metabolism
Jet Lag Syndrome - pathology
Laboratories
Lhx1
LIM-Homeodomain Proteins - genetics
LIM-Homeodomain Proteins - metabolism
Male
Mice
Mice, Knockout
Neurons
Neurons - metabolism
Neurons - pathology
Neuroscience
Neurosciences
Noise
Oscillators
Period Circadian Proteins - genetics
Period Circadian Proteins - metabolism
Photoperiod
Physiology
Plasmids
Proteins
Ror-alpha
Signal Transduction
Suprachiasmatic nucleus
Suprachiasmatic Nucleus - metabolism
Suprachiasmatic Nucleus - pathology
Synchronization
Transcription Factors - genetics
Transcription Factors - metabolism
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Description
Summary:The robustness and limited plasticity of the master circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is attributed to strong intercellular communication among its constituent neurons. However, factors that specify this characteristic feature of the SCN are unknown. Here, we identified Lhx1 as a regulator of SCN coupling. A phase-shifting light pulse causes acute reduction in Lhx1 expression and of its target genes that participate in SCN coupling. Mice lacking Lhx1 in the SCN have intact circadian oscillators, but reduced levels of coupling factors. Consequently, the mice rapidly phase shift under a jet lag paradigm and their behavior rhythms gradually deteriorate under constant condition. Ex vivo recordings of the SCN from these mice showed rapid desynchronization of unit oscillators. Therefore, by regulating expression of genes mediating intercellular communication, Lhx1 imparts synchrony among SCN neurons and ensures consolidated rhythms of activity and rest that is resistant to photic noise.
ISSN:2050-084X
2050-084X
DOI:10.7554/elife.03357