CLOCK expression identifies developing circadian oscillator neurons in the brains of Drosophila embryos
2008
CLOCK Expression in Developing Drosophila Neurons
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Houl Jerry H, Ng Fanny, Taylor Pete, Hardin Paul E
Primary Institution: Texas A&M University
Hypothesis
The activation of Clk and cyc during development determines oscillator cell identity.
Conclusion
The study shows that brain oscillator neurons begin development during embryogenesis and that PER expression in non-oscillator cells is CLK-independent.
Supporting Evidence
- CLK is expressed exclusively in circadian oscillator cells.
- PER is first expressed in the ventral nerve chord at embryonic stage 12.
- CLK expression is detected in brain cells starting at embryonic stage 16.
Takeaway
Scientists studied how certain brain cells in fruit flies develop their internal clocks. They found that these cells start developing before the flies hatch and that a protein called PER can work without another protein called CLK.
Methodology
The study used immunostaining techniques to analyze CLK and PER expression in Drosophila embryos and larvae.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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