Neurospora casein kinase 1a recruits the circadian clock protein FRQ via the C-terminal lobe of its kinase domain.

Timing by the circadian clock of Neurospora is associated with hyperphosphorylation of frequency (FRQ), which depends on anchoring casein kinase 1a (CK1a) to FRQ. It is not known how CK1a is anchored so that approximately 100 sites in FRQ can be targeted. Here, we identified two regions in CK1a, p1 and p2, that are required for anchoring to FRQ.

Casein kinase 1 and disordered clock proteins form functionally equivalent, phospho-based circadian modules in fungi and mammals.

Circadian clocks are timing systems that rhythmically adjust physiology and metabolism to the 24-h day-night cycle. Eukaryotic circadian clocks are based on transcriptional-translational feedback loops (TTFLs). Yet TTFL-core components such as Frequency (FRQ) in and Periods (PERs) in animals are not conserved, leaving unclear how a 24-h period is measured on the molecular level.

Smoking, second-hand smoke exposure and smoking cessation in relation to leukocyte telomere length and mortality.

Objectives: To investigate the link between smoking exposure, telomere length and mortality, with emphasis on second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure and the duration of smoking cessation.

Results: A total of 1,018 participants died during follow-up (mean: 10.3 years).