Casein kinase 1 delta (CK1) regulates period length of the mouse suprachiasmatic circadian clock in vitro

Abstract

Background: Casein kinase 1 delta (CK1) plays a more prominent role in the regulation of circadian cycle length than its homologue casein kinase 1 epsilon (CK1) in peripheral tissues such as liver and embryonic fibroblasts. Mice lacking CK1 die shortly after birth, so it has not been possible to assess the impact of loss of CK1 on behavioral rhythms controlled by the master circadian oscillator in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN). Methodology/Principal Findings: In the present study, mPER2::LUCIFERASE bioluminescence rhythms were monitored from SCN explants collected from neonatal mice. The data demonstrate that SCN explants from neonatal CK1-deficient mice oscillate, but with a longer circadian period than littermate controls. The cycle length of rhythms recorded from neonatal SCN explants of CK1-deficient mice did not differ from control explants. Conclusions/Significance: The results indicate that CK1 plays a more prominent role than CK1 in the maintenance of 24-hour rhythms in the master circadian oscillator.©2010 Etchegaray et al.