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C. elegans homologs of insect clock proteins: a tale of many stories
Author(s) -
Temmerman Liesbet,
Meelkop Ellen,
Janssen Tom,
Bogaerts Annelies,
Lindemans Marleen,
Husson Steven J.,
Beets Isabel,
Schoofs Liliane
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05927.x
Subject(s) - biology , caenorhabditis elegans , drosophila melanogaster , timeless , drosophila (subgenus) , gene , timer , homologous chromosome , circadian clock , function (biology) , heterochrony , caenorhabditis , clock , genetics , insect , model organism , circadian rhythm , evolutionary biology , neuroscience , ecology , computer science , ontogeny , computer hardware , microcontroller
As a consequence of the Earth's axial rotation, organisms display daily recurring rhythms in behavior and biochemical properties, such as hormone titers. The neuronal system controlling such changes is best studied in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster . In the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans , most homologs of these genes function in the heterochronic pathway controlling the (timing of) developmental events. Recent data indicate that in the worm at least one of the genes involved in developmental timing is also active in circadian rhythm control, thereby opening up new perspectives on a central (neuronal) timer interfering with many processes. Also, new neuropeptidergic clock homologs have been identified in nematodes, supporting the idea of a broad range of clock‐regulated targets. We will describe the current knowledge on homologous clock genes in C. elegans with a focus on the recently discovered pigment dispersing factor gene homologs. Similarities between developmental and daily timing are discussed.