TY - JOUR
T1 - Suprachiasmatic nucleus
T2 - Cell autonomy and network properties
AU - Welsh, David K.
AU - Takahashi, Joseph S.
AU - Kay, Steve A.
PY - 2009/3/17
Y1 - 2009/3/17
N2 - The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the primary circadian pacemaker in mammals. Individual SCN neurons in dispersed culture can generate independent circadian oscillations of clock gene expression and neuronal firing. However, SCN rhythmicity depends on sufficient membrane depolarization and levels of intracellular calcium and cAMP. In the intact SCN, cellular oscillations are synchronized and reinforced by rhythmic synaptic input from other cells, resulting in a reproducible topographic pattern of distinct phases and amplitudes specified by SCN circuit organization. The SCN network synchronizes its component cellular oscillators, reinforces their oscillations, responds to light input by altering their phase distribution, increases their robustness to genetic perturbations, and enhances their precision. Thus, even though individual SCN neurons can be cell-autonomous circadian oscillators, neuronal network properties are integral to normal function of the SCN.
AB - The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the primary circadian pacemaker in mammals. Individual SCN neurons in dispersed culture can generate independent circadian oscillations of clock gene expression and neuronal firing. However, SCN rhythmicity depends on sufficient membrane depolarization and levels of intracellular calcium and cAMP. In the intact SCN, cellular oscillations are synchronized and reinforced by rhythmic synaptic input from other cells, resulting in a reproducible topographic pattern of distinct phases and amplitudes specified by SCN circuit organization. The SCN network synchronizes its component cellular oscillators, reinforces their oscillations, responds to light input by altering their phase distribution, increases their robustness to genetic perturbations, and enhances their precision. Thus, even though individual SCN neurons can be cell-autonomous circadian oscillators, neuronal network properties are integral to normal function of the SCN.
KW - Circadian
KW - Clock
KW - Coupling
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77951927020&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=77951927020&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1146/annurev-physiol-021909-135919
DO - 10.1146/annurev-physiol-021909-135919
M3 - Review article
C2 - 20148688
AN - SCOPUS:77951927020
SN - 0066-4278
VL - 72
SP - 551
EP - 577
JO - Annual review of physiology
JF - Annual review of physiology
ER -