Changes in light-induced phase shift of circadian rhythm in mice lacking PACAP

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is one of the neurotransmitters that transfers light signals from the retina to the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) where the master clock of mammalian circadian rhythm locates, and is suggested to be implicated in the mechanism of light-induced phase shift of the circadian clock. Here, we examined changes in the phase shift of circadian rhythm in behavioral activity in mice lacking PACAP (PACAP(-/-)). The phase advance in PACAP(-/-) mice by a light stimulation at late subjective night was significantly attenuated, but the phase delay due to the illumination at the early subjective night slightly diminished. In contrast, the induction of c-Fos in the SCN by the illumination at the early subjective night but not that at the late subjective night was significantly blunted in PACAP(-/-) mice. These data provide new aspects about the roles of PACAP in light-induced phase shift of the circadian clock.