JNK regulates the photic response of the mammalian circadian clock.
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Yoshitane H, Honma S, Imamura K, Nakajima H, Nishide SY, Ono D, Kiyota H, Shinozaki N, Matsuki H, Wada N, Doi H, Hamada T, Honma K, Fukada Y
JNK regulates the photic response of the mammalian circadian clock.
EMBO Rep. 2012 May 1;13(5):455-61. doi: 10.1038/embor.2012.37.
- PubMed ID
- 22441692 [ View in PubMed]
- Abstract
The posttranslational regulation of mammalian clock proteins has been assigned a time-keeping function, but seems to have more essential roles. Here we show that c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), identified by inhibitor screening of BMAL1 phosphorylation at Ser 520/Thr 527/Ser 592, confers dynamic regulation on the clock. Knockdown of JNK1 and JNK2 abrogates BMAL1 phosphorylation and lengthens circadian period in fibroblasts. Mice deficient for neuron-specific isoform JNK3 have altered behavioural rhythms, with longer free-running period and compromised phase shifts to light. The locomotor rhythms are insensitive to intensity variance of constant light, deviating from Aschoff's rule. Thus, JNK regulates a core characteristic of the circadian clock by controlling the oscillation speed and the phase in response to light.