Diurnal gene expression of Period2, Cryptochrome1, and arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase-2 in olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus

Abstract

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the teleost hypothalamus contains a central circadian pacemaker, which adjusts circadian rhythms within the body to environmental light-dark cycles. It has been shown that exposure to darkness during the day causes phase shifts in circadian rhythms. In this study, we examined the effect of exposure to darkness on the mRNA expression levels of two circadian clock genes, namely, Period2 (Per2) and Cryptochrome1 (Cry1), and the rate-limiting enzyme in melatonin synthesis, arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase-2 (Aanat2), in the pineal gland of olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. The expression of these genes showed circadian variations and was significantly higher during the dark phase. These changes may be involved in the mechanism of dark-induced phase shifts. Furthermore, this study suggests that olive flounder may be a teleost model to investigate the localization and function of circadian oscillators. © 2012 Copyright Korean Society for Integrative Biology.