Abstract
The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus is the central circadian clock of mammals. It is responsible for communicating temporal information to peripheral oscillators via humoral and endocrine signaling, ultimately controlling overt rhythms such as sleep-wake cycles, body temperature, and locomotor activity. Given the heterogeneity and complexity of the SCN, its genesis is tightly regulated by countless intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Here, we provide a brief overview of the development of the SCN, with special emphasis on the murine system.
Highlights
On this rhythmic planet, we are surrounded by countless environmental oscillations of varying frequencies
The suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) is unique within the clock hierarchy, as it is the only clock to respond to light directly (Morin and Allen, 2006)
This is in stark contrast with the disruptive effect of LL on neuronal function and physiological rhythms in animals with a fully functional SCN, where the elevated level of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) induced by LL might destabilize the circadian pacemaker (Ohta et al, 2005; An et al, 2011)
Summary
The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus is the central circadian clock of mammals. It is responsible for communicating temporal information to peripheral oscillators via humoral and endocrine signaling, controlling overt rhythms such as sleep-wake cycles, body temperature, and locomotor activity. Given the heterogeneity and complexity of the SCN, its genesis is tightly regulated by countless intrinsic and extrinsic factors. We provide a brief overview of the development of the SCN, with special emphasis on the murine system. Reviewed by: Michihiro Mieda, Kanazawa University, Japan Charles N. Oregon Health and Science University, United States. Specialty section: This article was submitted to Sleep and Circadian Rhythms, a section of the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience
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