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NPAS4 regulates the transcriptional response of suprachiasmatic nucleus neurons to photic input

ABSTRACT: In mammals, the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the master circadian pacemaker. It is primarily entrained by environmental photic stimuli. However, the molecular bases of the response of heterogeneous cells in the SCN to photic stimuli is not fully understood. In this study, we combined bulk RNA/ChIP/single nuclei sequencing with circadian behavioral assays to investigate cellular identities in the SCN and explore how they react to photic stimuli. We identified 3 major peptidergic cells in the SCN, Avp-expressing, Vip-expressing and Cck-expressing cells. In each peptidergic cell type, there is a light responsive cell cluster, and each of these is enriched for Neuronal PAS Domain Protein 4 (NPAS4) target genes. In addition, Npas4 null mice have a 1hr longer circadian period in constant darkness and a damped phase responsive curve to photic stimuli. Bulk RNA seq in Npas4-/- SCN revealed a reduced magnitude of light induced gene expression. Together, our data indicate that NPAS4 is part of the machinery that orchestrates the molecular response to photic stimuli in the SCN.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE148252 | GEO | 2021/08/23

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Seasonal daylength, or circadian photoperiod, is a pervasive environmental signal that profoundly influences physiology and behavior. In mammals, the central circadian clock resides in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus where it receives retinal input and synchronizes, or entrains, organismal physiology and behavior to the prevailing light cycle. The process of entrainment induces sustained plasticity in the SCN, but the molecular mechanisms underlying SCN plasticity are incompletely understood. Entrainment to different photoperiods persistently alters the timing, waveform, period, and light resetting properties of the SCN clock and its driven rhythms. To elucidate novel molecular mechanisms of photoperiod plasticity, we performed RNAseq on whole SCN dissected from mice raised in Long (LD 16:8) and Short (LD 8:16) photoperiods. Fewer rhythmic genes were detected in Long photoperiod and in general the timing of gene expression rhythms was advanced 4-6 hours. However, a few genes showed significant delays, including Gem. There were significant changes in the expression clock-associated gene Timeless and in SCN genes related to light responses, neuropeptides, GABA, ion channels, and serotonin. Particularly striking were differences in the expression of the neuropeptide signaling genes Prokr2 and Cck, as well as convergent regulation of the expression of three SCN light response genes, Dusp4, Rasd1, and Gem. Transcriptional modulation of Dusp4 and Rasd1, and phase regulation of Gem, are compelling candidate molecular mechanisms for plasticity in the SCN light response through their modulation of the critical NMDAR-MAPK/ERK-CREB/CRE light signaling pathway in SCN neurons. Modulation of Prokr2 and Cck may critically support SCN neural network reconfiguration during photoperiodic entrainment. Our findings identify the SCN light response and neuropeptide signaling gene sets as rich substrates for elucidating novel mechanisms of photoperiod plasticity. Data is also available on our corresponding website, where users can search and view the expression and rhythmic properties of genes across these photoperiod conditions.

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NPAS4 regulates the transcriptional response of suprachiasmatic nucleus neurons to photic input

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