A TIMELESS-independent function for PERIOD proteins in the Drosophila clock.

The mutation timeless(UL) generates 33 hr rhythms, prolonged nuclear localization of PERIOD/TIMELESS(UL) protein complexes, and protracted derepression of period (per) and timeless (tim) transcription. Light-induced elimination of TIM(UL) from nuclear PER/TIM(UL) complexes gives strong downregulation of per and tim expression. Thus, in the absence of TIM, nuclear PER can function ...
as a potent negative transcriptional regulator. Two additional studies support this role for PER: (1) Drosophila expressing PER that constitutively localizes to nuclei produce dominant behavioral arrhythmicity, and (2) constitutively nuclear PER represses dCLOCK/CYCLE-mediated transcription of per in cultured cells without TIM. Conversion of PER/TIM heterodimers to nuclear PER proteins appears to be required to complete transcriptional repression and terminate each circadian molecular cycle.
Mesh Terms:
Animals, Biological Clocks, Cell Line, Cell Nucleus, Circadian Rhythm, Drosophila, Drosophila Proteins, Gene Deletion, Insect Proteins, Mutation, Nuclear Proteins, Period Circadian Proteins, Transcription, Genetic
Neuron
Date: May. 01, 2000
Download Curated Data For This Publication
13951
Switch View:
  • Interactions 4