A Subcircuit in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Generates Wakefulness.

ABSTRACT: The daily cycles of sleep and arousal are among the most prominent biological rhythms under circadian control. While the role of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) as the master circadian pacemaker is well-established, the molecular and circuit mechanisms by which it regulates the rhythms of sleep and arousal remain poorly understood. It has previously shown that the Drosophila clock-output molecule Wide Awake (WAKE) and its mammalian homolog mWAKE are expressed in fly clock neurons and dorsomedial hypothalamus neurons that promote arousal. Here, it is investigated whether mWAKE labels an arousal-promoting SCN subcircuit in mice. Broad chemogenetic activation and inhibition of mWAKE⁺ cells lead to a marked increase in wakefulness and a stupor-like phenotype, respectively. Optogen

SUBMITTER: Liu Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12533371 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature