A real-time measurement system for gene expression rhythms from deep tissues of freely moving mice under light-dark conditions

Abstract

Clock gene expression in most organs of the living body exhibits a diurnal rhythm synchronized with the external 24 h light-dark (LD) cycle via circadian pacemaker suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Disturbances in clock gene expression due to desynchronization of clock gene expression of the external LD cycle are risk factors for developing various diseases. Measuring the in vivo clock genes expression rhythm for a long duration under LD conditions can greatly contribute to understand the pathogenic mechanism of the disease caused by the disturbance of the biological rhythm. However, it is presently difficult to continuously measure gene expression for a long duration under LD conditions. In present study, we succeeded in measuring Period1 (Per1) gene expression under LD conditions using ultraviolet (UV) light with filter cut the visible light range. In addition, we succeeded in measuring the kinetic change of liver Per1 gene expression during the process of desynchronization of behavioral rhythm from the LD cycle by chronic administration of methamphetamine (MAP). In the future, by using this system to measure clock gene expression rhythms of brain tissues such as SCN and peripheral tissues under LD conditions, it could contribute to understand the onset mechanism of diseases induced by the desynchronization mechanism of biological rhythm to the LD cycle.