Simple sequence repeats provide a substrate for phenotypic variation in the Neurospora crassa circadian clock.

ABSTRACT:

Background

WHITE COLLAR-1 (WC-1) mediates interactions between the circadian clock and the environment by acting as both a core clock component and as a blue light photoreceptor in Neurospora crassa. Loss of the amino-terminal polyglutamine (NpolyQ) domain in WC-1 results in an arrhythmic circadian clock; this data is consistent with this simple sequence repeat (SSR) being essential for clock function.

Methodology/principal findings

Since SSRs are often polymorphic in length across natural populations, we reasoned that investigating natural variation of the WC-1 NpolyQ may provide insight into its role in the circadian clock. We observed significant phenotypic variation in the period, phase and temperature compensation of circadian regulated asexual conidiation across 143 N.

SUBMITTER: Michael TP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1949147 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature