HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Supplemental Figure All Versions of this Article: 292/1/R160    most recent 00370.2006v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (2) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Vallone, D. Articles by Bertolucci, C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Vallone, D. Articles by Bertolucci, C.

CALL FOR PAPERS
Physiology and Pharmacology of Temperature Regulation

Hypothermia modulates circadian clock gene expression in lizard peripheral tissues

¹Max-Planck-Institut für Entwicklungsbiologie, Tübingen, Germany; ²Department of Biology and Neuroscience Centre, University of Ferrara, Italy; and ³Centro di Ecologia Alpina, Trento, Italy

Submitted 31 May 2006 ; accepted in final form 22 June 2006

The molecular mechanisms whereby the circadian clock responds to temperature changes are poorly understood. The ruin lizard Podarcis sicula has historically proven to be a valuable vertebrate model for exploring the influence of temperature on circadian physiology. It is an ectotherm that naturally experiences an impressive range of temperatures during the course of the year. However, no tools have been available to dissect the molecular basis of the clock in this organism. Here, we report the cloning of three lizard clock gene homologs (Period2, Cryptochrome1, and Clock) that have a close phylogenetic relationship with avian clock genes. These genes are expressed in many tissues and show a rhythmic expression profile at 29°C in light-dark and constant darkness lighting conditions, with phases comparable to their mammalian and avian counterparts. Interestingly, we show that at low temperatures (6°C), cycling clock gene expression is attenuated in peripheral clocks with a characteristic increase in basal expression levels. We speculate that this represents a conserved vertebrate clock gene response to low temperatures. Furthermore, these results bring new insight into the issue of whether circadian clock function is compatible with hypothermia.

ectotherms; cryptochrome; period; vertebrate

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. Velarde, R. Haque, P.M. Iuvone, C. Azpeleta, A.L. Alonso-Gomez, and M.J. Delgado Circadian Clock Genes of Goldfish, Carassius auratus: cDNA Cloning and Rhythmic Expression of Period and Cryptochrome Transcripts in Retina, Liver, and Gut J Biol Rhythms, April 1, 2009; 24(2): 104 - 113. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. A. Romanovsky Thermoregulation: some concepts have changed. Functional architecture of the thermoregulatory system Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, January 1, 2007; 292(1): R37 - R46. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]