Effect of Mefloquine, a Gap Junction Blocker, on Circadian Period2 Gene Oscillation in the Mouse Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Ex Vivo
- Authors
- Koo, Jinmi; Choe, Han Kyoung; Kim, Hee-Dae; Chun, Sung Kook; Son, Gi Hoon; Kim, Kyungjin
- Issue Date
- 9월-2015
- Publisher
- KOREAN ENDOCRINE SOC
- Keywords
- Circadian rhythm; Suprachiasmatic nucleus; Gap junctions; Per2; Real-time bioluminescence; Mefloquine
- Citation
- ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM, v.30, no.3, pp.361 - 370
- Indexed
- SCOPUS
KCI
- Journal Title
- ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
- Volume
- 30
- Number
- 3
- Start Page
- 361
- End Page
- 370
- URI
- https://scholar.korea.ac.kr/handle/2021.sw.korea/92569
- DOI
- 10.3803/EnM.2015.30.3.361
- ISSN
- 2093-596X
- Abstract
- Background: In mammals, the master circadian pacemaker is localized in an area of the ventral hypothalamus known as the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Previous studies have shown that pacemaker neurons in the SCN are highly coupled to one another, and this coupling is crucial for intrinsic self-sustainability of the SCN central clock, which is distinguished from peripheral oscillators. One plausible mechanism underlying the intercellular communication may involve direct electrical connections mediated by gap junctions. Methods: We examined the effect of mefloquine, a neuronal gap junction blocker, on circadian Period 2 (Per2) gene oscillation in SCN slice cultures prepared from Per2:: luciferase (PER2:: LUC) knock-in mice using a real-time bioluminescence measurement system. Results: Administration of mefloquine causes instability in the pulse period and a slight reduction of amplitude in cyclic PER2:: LUC expression. Blockade of gap junctions uncouples PER2:: LUC-expressing cells, in terms of phase transition, which weakens synchrony among individual cellular rhythms. Conclusion: These findings suggest that neuronal gap junctions play an important role in synchronizing the central pacemaker neurons and contribute to the distinct self-sustainability of the SCN master clock.
- Files in This Item
- There are no files associated with this item.
- Appears in
Collections - Graduate School > Department of Biomedical Sciences > 1. Journal Articles
Items in ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.