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period and timeless mRNA Splicing Profiles under Natural Conditions in Drosophila melanogaster

Stefano Montelli1, Gabriella Mazzotta1, Stefano Vanin1

  • 1Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.

Journal of Biological Rhythms
|May 22, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Drosophila circadian rhythms show seasonal variations in per and tim mRNA cycling. Temperature influences gene splicing, impacting daily activity patterns and potentially seasonal adaptation.

Area of Science:

  • Chronobiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Animal Behavior

Background:

  • Circadian rhythms in Drosophila melanogaster are crucial for adapting to daily environmental changes.
  • Previous studies on Drosophila circadian behavior under natural conditions revealed unexpected features.
  • Understanding molecular oscillations and posttranscriptional regulation is key to deciphering these behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular cycling of per and tim mRNAs under natural conditions.
  • To analyze the posttranscriptional regulation, specifically splicing, of per and tim transcripts in relation to environmental factors.
  • To characterize TIM protein isoforms and their interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Monitoring per and tim mRNA oscillations in Drosophila heads under natural conditions throughout the year.
  • Analyzing natural splicing profiles of per and tim transcripts.
  • Investigating the relationship between temperature and splicing patterns.
  • Characterizing TIM protein isoforms using the 2-hybrid assay.

Main Results:

  • Robust per mRNA cycling was observed only during summer months, while tim RNA cycling occurred year-round.
  • Splicing profiles of both per and tim transcripts showed a clear relationship with temperature.
  • per(spliced) variant accumulation correlated with low temperatures and evening activity onset.
  • tim(spliced) expression increased with higher temperatures.
  • TIM(unspliced) isoforms exhibited stronger affinity for CRY, suggesting functional significance.

Conclusions:

  • Drosophila circadian clock gene expression and splicing are significantly influenced by natural conditions and temperature.
  • Temperature-dependent splicing of tim may play a role in seasonal entrainment and adaptation.
  • Posttranscriptional regulation, particularly alternative splicing, is a critical layer in the control of circadian rhythms and seasonal adaptation in Drosophila.
Keywords:
Drosophila melanogastercircadian rhythmsmRNA cyclingnatural conditionssplicing

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