Usf1, a Suppressor of the Circadian Clock Mutant, Reveals the Nature of the DNA-binding of the CLOCK:BMAL1 complex in mice

ABSTRACT: Genetic and molecular approaches have been critical for elucidating the mechanism of the mammalian circadian clock. Here, we demonstrate that the ClockM-NM-^T19 mutant behavioral phenotype is significantly modified by mouse strain genetic background. We map a suppressor of the ClockM-NM-^T19 mutation to a M-bM-^HM-<900 kb interval on mouse chromosome 1 and identify the transcription factor, Usf1, as the responsible gene. A SNP in the promoter of Usf1 causes elevation of its transcript and protein in strains that suppress the Clock mutant phenotype. USF1 competes with the CLOCK:BMAL1 complex for binding to E-box sites in target genes. Saturation binding experiments demonstrate reduced affinity of the CLOCKM-NM-^T19:BMAL1 complex for E-box sites, thereby permitting increased USF1 occupancy on a genome-wide basis. We propose that USF1 is an important modulator of molecular and behavioral circadian rhythms in mammals. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00426.001. Examination of 3 transcriptional regulators in mouse liver at ZT8

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

SUBMITTER: Joseph Takahashi 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-44609 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress