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A transcription factor response element for gene expression during circadian night

Nature volume 418, pages 534–539 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

Mammalian circadian clocks consist of complex integrated feedback loops1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 that cannot be elucidated without comprehensive measurement of system dynamics and determination of network structures11. To dissect such a complicated system, we took a systems-biological approach based on genomic, molecular and cell biological techniques. We profiled suprachiasmatic nuclei and liver genome-wide expression patterns under light/dark cycles and constant darkness. We determined transcription start sites of human orthologues for newly identified cycling genes and then performed bioinformatical searches for relationships between time-of-day specific expression and transcription factor response elements around transcription start sites. Here we demonstrate the role of the Rev-ErbA/ROR response element in gene expression during circadian night, which is in phase with Bmal1 and in antiphase to Per2 oscillations. This role was verified using an in vitro validation system, in which cultured fibroblasts transiently transfected with clock-controlled reporter vectors exhibited robust circadian bioluminescence12.

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Figure 1: Temporal expression profiles in mouse suprachiasmatic nuclei.
Figure 2: Temporal expression profiles in the mouse liver.
Figure 3: Spatiotemporal expression profiles in mouse SCN under DD conditions.
Figure 4: Spatiotemporal profiles of expression of the Rev-ErbA and ROR family in the mouse SCN under DD conditions.
Figure 5: A Rev-ErbA/ROR response element sufficient for gene expression during circadian night.

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Acknowledgements

We thank T. Kojima, T. Katakura and H. Urata for technical assistance. This study was performed as a part of a research and development project of the Industrial Science and Technology Program supported by NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Molecular Medicine Laboratories, Institute for Drug Discovery Research, Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd, 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8585, Japan

    Hiroki R. Ueda, Wenbin Chen, Hisanori Wakamatsu, Satoko Hayashi, Tomohiro Takasugi & Seiichi Hashimoto

  2. Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Bunkyo-ku, 113-0033, Tokyo, Japan

    Hiroki R. Ueda & Masamitsu Iino

  3. Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Kinki University School of Medicine, 377-2 Ohno-Higashi, 589-8511, Osakasayama City, Osaka, Japan

    Akihito Adachi, Mamoru Nagano, Ken-ichi Nakahama & Yasufumi Shigeyoshi

  4. Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokane-dai, Minato-ku, 108-8639, Tokyo, Japan

    Yutaka Suzuki & Sumio Sugano

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  1. Hiroki R. Ueda
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Correspondence to Hiroki R. Ueda or Yasufumi Shigeyoshi.

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Ueda, H., Chen, W., Adachi, A. et al. A transcription factor response element for gene expression during circadian night. Nature 418, 534–539 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature00906

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