Light pulses that shift rhythms induce gene expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus

Benjamin Rusak, Harold A. Robertson, William Wisden, Stephen P. Hunt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

492 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Lighting cycles synchronize (entrain) mammalian circadian rhythms by altering activity of cells in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, a circadian pacemaker. Exposure of hamsters and rats to light pulses at those phases of the circadian rhythm during which light can shift the rhythm caused increased immunoreactivity for the product of the immediate-early gene c-fos in cells in the region of the SCN that receives retinal fibers. Light pulses also increased messenger RNA for the Fos protein and for the immediate-early protein NGFI-A in the rat SCN. Similar increases in mRNA for NGFI-A were seen in the SCN of hamsters. Thus cells in this portion of the SCN undergo alterations in gene expression in response to retinal illumination, but only at times in the circadian cycle when light is capable of influencing entrainment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1237-1240
Number of pages4
JournalScience
Volume248
Issue number4960
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1990

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • General

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