Summary
This work investigates how seasonal changes in light exposure activate intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), triggering glutamate and PACAP release and subsequent upregulation of Period (Per) genes in the circadian clock. Understanding these molecular mechanisms has practical implications for designing lighting systems that appropriately entrain circadian rhythms across different seasons.
Key Findings
- Activation of ipRGCs leads to release of glutamate and PACAP, which upregulate Per gene expression in the circadian clock
- Seasonal variation in light exposure modulates circadian system entrainment through ipRGC-mediated signaling pathways
Categories
Sleep & Circadian Health: Examines how seasonal light variations affect circadian system entrainment via ipRGC activation.
The Science of Light: Focuses on the photoreceptor biology of ipRGCs and molecular signaling pathways (glutamate, PACAP, Per genes) underlying phototransduction and circadian regulation.
Author(s)
MC Tackenberg
Publication Year
2019
Related Publications
Sleep & Circadian Health
- Phototransduction by retinal ganglion cells that set the circadian clock
- The mammalian circadian timing system: organization and coordination of central and peripheral clocks
- The twoāprocess model of sleep regulation: a reappraisal
- Melanopsin is required for non-image-forming photic responses in blind mice
- Strange vision: ganglion cells as circadian photoreceptors
The Science of Light
- Phototransduction by retinal ganglion cells that set the circadian clock
- Color appearance models
- The mammalian circadian timing system: organization and coordination of central and peripheral clocks
- Diminished pupillary light reflex at high irradiances in melanopsin-knockout mice
- Melanopsin is required for non-image-forming photic responses in blind mice