Organization of cell and tissue circadian pacemakers: A comparison among species

Abstract In most animal species, a circadian timing system has evolved as a strategy to cope with 24-hour rhythms in the environment. Circadian pacemakers are essential elements of the timing system and have been identified in anatomically discrete locations in animals ranging from insects to mammal...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brain Research Reviews 2008-06, Vol.58 (1), p.18-47
Main Authors: Vansteensel, Mariska J, Michel, Stephan, Meijer, Johanna H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Brain - anatomy & histology
Brain - cytology
Brain - physiology
Chronobiology
Circadian
Circadian Rhythm - physiology
Cockroach
Coupling
Cricket
Danio rerio
Drosophila
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gryllidae
Mammal
Models, Biological
Neural Pathways - physiology
Neurology
Neuronal network
Neurons - cytology
Neurons - physiology
Oscillator
Pacemaker
Peripheral Nervous System - physiology
Signal Transduction - physiology
Snail
Species Specificity
Synchronization
Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
Zebrafish
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract In most animal species, a circadian timing system has evolved as a strategy to cope with 24-hour rhythms in the environment. Circadian pacemakers are essential elements of the timing system and have been identified in anatomically discrete locations in animals ranging from insects to mammals. Rhythm generation occurs in single pacemaker neurons and is based on the interacting negative and positive molecular feedback loops. Rhythmicity in behavior and physiology is regulated by neuronal networks in which synchronization or coupling is required to produce coherent output signals. Coupling occurs among individual clock cells within an oscillating tissue, among functionally distinct subregions within the pacemaker, and between central pacemakers and the periphery. Recent evidence indicates that peripheral tissues can influence central pacemakers and contain autonomous circadian oscillators that contribute to the regulation of overt rhythmicity. The data discussed in this review describe coupling and synchronization mechanisms at the cell and tissue levels. By comparing the pacemaker systems of several multicellular animal species ( Drosophila , cockroaches, crickets, snails, zebrafish and mammals), we will explore general organizational principles by which the circadian system regulates a 24-hour rhythmicity.
ISSN:0165-0173
1872-6321
DOI:10.1016/j.brainresrev.2007.10.009