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Diurnal modulation of pacemaker potentials and calcium current in the mammalian circadian clock

Author

Listed:
  • Cyriel M. A. Pennartz

    (Netherlands Institute for Brain Research)

  • Marcel T. G. de Jeu

    (Netherlands Institute for Brain Research)

  • Nico P. A. Bos

    (Netherlands Institute for Brain Research)

  • Jeroen Schaap

    (Netherlands Institute for Brain Research)

  • Alwin M. S. Geurtsen

    (Netherlands Institute for Brain Research)

Abstract

The central biological clock of the mammalian brain is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. This hypothalamic region contains neurons that generate a circadian rhythm on a single-cell basis. Clock cells transmit their circadian timing signals to other brain areas by diurnal modulation of their spontaneous firing rate. The intracellular mechanism underlying rhythm generation is thought to consist of one or more self-regulating molecular loops, but it is unknown how these loops interact with the plasma membrane to modulate the ionic conductances that regulate firing behaviour. Here we demonstrate a diurnal modulation of Ca2+ current in suprachiasmatic neurons. This current strongly contributes to the generation of spontaneous oscillations in membrane potential, which occur selectively during daytime and are tightly coupled to spike generation. Thus, day–night modulation of Ca2+ current is a central step in transducing the intracellular cycling of molecular clocks to the rhythm in spontaneous firing rate.

Suggested Citation

  • Cyriel M. A. Pennartz & Marcel T. G. de Jeu & Nico P. A. Bos & Jeroen Schaap & Alwin M. S. Geurtsen, 2002. "Diurnal modulation of pacemaker potentials and calcium current in the mammalian circadian clock," Nature, Nature, vol. 416(6878), pages 286-290, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:416:y:2002:i:6878:d:10.1038_nature728
    DOI: 10.1038/nature728
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    Cited by:

    1. Henson, Michael A., 2013. "Multicellular models of intercellular synchronization in circadian neural networks," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 48-64.

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