Uncovering the Roles of Clocks and Neural Transmission in the Resilience of Circadian Network.

Studies of circadian locomotor rhythms in gave evidence to the preceding theoretical predictions on circadian rhythms. The molecular oscillator in flies, as in virtually all organisms, operates using transcriptional-translational feedback loops together with intricate post-transcriptional processes. Approximately150 pacemaker neurons, each equipped with a molecular oscillator, form a circuit that functions as the central pacemaker for locomotor rhythms.

A Screening of UNF Targets Identifies , a Novel Regulator of Circadian Rhythms.

Behavioral circadian rhythms are controlled by multioscillator networks comprising functionally different subgroups of clock neurons. Studies have demonstrated that molecular clocks in the fruit fly are regulated differently in clock neuron subclasses to support their specific functions (Lee et al., 2016; Top et al.

Differential timing of granule cell production during cerebellum development underlies generation of the foliation pattern.

Background: The mouse cerebellum (Cb) has a remarkably complex foliated three-dimensional (3D) structure, but a stereotypical cytoarchitecture and local circuitry. Little is known of the cellular behaviors and genes that function during development to determine the foliation pattern. In the anteroposterior axis the mammalian cerebellum is divided by lobules with distinct sizes, and the foliation pattern differs along the mediolateral axis defining a medial vermis and two lateral hemispheres.

Transcriptional regulation via nuclear receptor crosstalk required for the Drosophila circadian clock.

Circadian clocks in large part rely on transcriptional feedback loops. At the core of the clock machinery, the transcriptional activators CLOCK/BMAL1 (in mammals) and CLOCK/CYCLE (CLK/CYC) (in Drosophila) drive the expression of the period (per) family genes. The PER-containing complexes inhibit the activity of CLOCK/BMAL1 or CLK/CYC, thereby forming a negative feedback loop [1].

The nuclear receptor unfulfilled is required for free-running clocks in Drosophila pacemaker neurons.

An intricate neural circuit composed of multiple classes of clock neurons controls circadian locomotor rhythms in Drosophila. Evidence indicates that the small ventral lateral neurons (s-LNvs, M cells) are the dominant pacemaker neurons that synchronize the clocks throughout the circuit and drive free-running locomotor rhythms. Little is known, however, about the molecular underpinning of this unique function of the s-LNvs.