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Monitoring Cell-autonomous Circadian Clock Rhythms of Gene Expression Using Luciferase Bioluminescence Reporters
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Circadian oscillations in period gene mRNA levels are transcriptionally regulated

P E Hardin1, J C Hall, M Rosbash

  • 1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02254.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|December 15, 1992
PubMed

Insights

The period (per) gene in fruit flies drives circadian rhythms through a feedback loop. Fluctuations in per mRNA levels are mainly controlled by gene transcription, indicating its role in the circadian oscillator.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Chronobiology

Background:

  • The period (per) gene regulates circadian rhythms in Drosophila melanogaster.
  • per gene expression exhibits circadian fluctuations influenced by its own translation product.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the operational mechanisms of the per gene's feedback loop.
  • To understand how per gene expression contributes to circadian rhythmicity.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of per mRNA abundance and transcription.
  • Determination of per mRNA half-life.
  • Identification of regulatory sequences within the 5' flanking region of the per gene.

Main Results:

  • Circadian fluctuations in per mRNA are primarily driven by changes in per gene transcription.
  • per mRNA exhibits a relatively short half-life.
  • 1.3 kilobases of 5' flanking sequences contain elements sufficient for driving per mRNA cycling.

Conclusions:

  • The per feedback loop possesses essential properties for functioning as a circadian oscillator component.
  • Gene transcription is the primary regulator of per mRNA cycling.
  • The 5' flanking region plays a crucial role in regulating per gene expression rhythmicity.

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