Pulsed induction of circadian clock genes in Arabidopsis seedlings.

The Alc-inducible system is a simple, yet effective, "gene switch" that can be used to transiently induce gene expression in Arabidopsis. Here we provide a protocol for using the Alc-inducible system to give a pulse in expression of a circadian clock gene in transgenic seedlings. The line we use as an example harbors an Alc-inducible copy of the CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED 1 (CCA1) gene (Alc∷CCA1).

CCA1 and ELF3 Interact in the control of hypocotyl length and flowering time in Arabidopsis.

The circadian clock is an endogenous oscillator with a period of approximately 24 h that allows organisms to anticipate, and respond to, changes in the environment. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), the circadian clock regulates a wide variety of physiological processes, including hypocotyl elongation and flowering time. CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED1 (CCA1) is a central clock component, and CCA1 overexpression causes circadian dysfunction, elongated hypocotyls, and late flowering.

A role for protein kinase casein kinase2 α-subunits in the Arabidopsis circadian clock.

Circadian rhythms are autoregulatory, endogenous rhythms with a period of approximately 24 h. A wide variety of physiological and molecular processes are regulated by the circadian clock in organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. Phosphorylation of clock proteins plays a critical role in generating proper circadian rhythms.

The Jumonji C domain-containing protein JMJ30 regulates period length in the Arabidopsis circadian clock.

Histone methylation plays an essential role in regulating chromatin structure and gene expression. Jumonji C (JmjC) domain-containing proteins are generally known as histone demethylases. Circadian clocks regulate a large number of biological processes, and recent studies suggest that chromatin remodeling has evolved as an important mechanism for regulating both plant and mammalian circadian systems.

CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED1 and LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL function synergistically in the circadian clock of Arabidopsis.

The circadian clock is an endogenous mechanism that coordinates biological processes with daily and seasonal changes in the environment. Heterodimerization of central clock components is an important way of controlling clock function in several different circadian systems. CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED1 (CCA1) and LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL (LHY) are Myb-related proteins that function in or close to the central oscillator in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana).

Testing time: can ethanol-induced pulses of proposed oscillator components phase shift rhythms in Arabidopsis?

Circadian rhythms are generated by endogenous central oscillators that respond to input from the environment and regulate rhythmic outputs. In Arabidopsis, more than a dozen components that affect rhythms have been identified and used to propose models of the central oscillator. However, none has been shown to fulfill one of the expected characteristics of an oscillator component: that a pulse of its expression shifts the phase of circadian rhythms.

The clock protein CCA1 and the bZIP transcription factor HY5 physically interact to regulate gene expression in Arabidopsis.

The circadian clock regulates the expression of an array of Arabidopsis genes such as those encoding the LIGHT-HARVESTING CHLOROPHYLL A/B (Lhcb) proteins. We have previously studied the promoters of two of these Arabidopsis genes--Lhcb1*1 and Lhcb1*3--and identified a sequence that binds the clock protein CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED 1 (CCA1). This sequence, designated CCA1-binding site (CBS), is necessary for phytochrome and circadian responsiveness of these genes.