Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Keeping an eye on retinal clocks.

E D Herzog1, G D Block

  • 1Department of Biology and NSF Center for Biological Timing, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22903, USA. edh3f@virginia.edu

Chronobiology International
|June 18, 1999
PubMed
Summary

The eye contains internal circadian clocks within photoreceptors, regulating daily rhythms and melatonin production. New molecular tools promise deeper understanding of these retinal clocks.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Ultraviolet Light from the Nighttime Sky Enhances Retinal Sensitivity of Limulus.

The Biological bulletin·2018
Same author

Effects of Photoperiod and Temperature on Egg-Laying Behavior in a Marine Mollusk, Aplysia californica.

The Biological bulletin·2018
Same author

Glial and light-dependent glutamate metabolism in the suprachiasmatic nuclei.

Chronobiology international·2015
Same author

Disease correction by combined neonatal intracranial AAV and systemic lentiviral gene therapy in Sanfilippo Syndrome type B mice.

Gene therapy·2013
Same author

Learning chronobiology by improving Wikipedia.

Journal of biological rhythms·2012
Same author

Chronic jet-lag increases mortality in aged mice.

Current biology : CB·2006

Area of Science:

  • Chronobiology
  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Circadian pacemakers are fundamental to biological rhythmicity in both invertebrates and vertebrates.
  • In the retina, these pacemakers are located in photoreceptors across diverse species, including mammals.
  • Retinal circadian clocks synchronize with light cycles and regulate physiological processes like melatonin synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the retina as a model system for studying circadian clock mechanisms.
  • To emphasize the role of clock genes in the rhythmic function of the retina.
  • To underscore the potential of new molecular techniques in advancing the study of the eye's clock.

Main Methods:

  • Localization of circadian pacemakers to retinal photoreceptors.
  • Analysis of light entrainment mechanisms.
  • Investigation of negative feedback loops involving clock gene transcription and translation.

Main Results:

  • Circadian pacemakers are confirmed in photoreceptors of various species.
  • These pacemakers exhibit light-dependent entrainment and molecular oscillations.
  • Rhythmic melatonin production is a controlled output of the retinal clock.

Conclusions:

  • The retina's organized structure makes it ideal for dissecting circadian input-output pathways.
  • The study of retinal circadian rhythms is poised for significant advancements.
  • New molecular approaches will accelerate discoveries regarding the eye's internal clock.

Related Experiment Videos