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Flies and Fish: Birds of a Feather
Author(s) -
Katherine Tamai T.,
Vardhanabhuti V.,
Arthur S.,
Foulkes N. S.,
Whitmore D.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of neuroendocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.062
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1365-2826
pISSN - 0953-8194
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2826.2003.00974.x
Subject(s) - zebrafish , biology , circadian rhythm , suprachiasmatic nucleus , biological clock , cryptochrome , fish <actinopterygii> , circadian clock , pineal gland , identification (biology) , neuroscience , evolutionary biology , model organism , bacterial circadian rhythms , zoology , ecology , genetics , gene , fishery
The identification of specific clock‐containing structures has been a major endeavour of the circadian field for many years. This has lead to the identification of many key components of the circadian system, including the suprachiasmatic nucleus in mammals, and the eyes and pineal glands in lower vertebrates. However, the idea that these structures represent the only clocks in animals has been challenged by the discovery of peripheral pacemakers in most organs and tissues, and even a number of cell lines. In Drosophila , and vertebrates such as the zebrafish, these peripheral clocks appear to be highly autonomous, being set directly by the environmental light/dark cycle. However, a hierarchy of clocks may still exist in mammals. In this review, we examine some of the current views regarding peripheral clocks, their organization and how they are entrained.