Circadian cycles of gene expression in the coral, Acropora millepora.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Circadian rhythms regulate many physiological, behavioral and reproductive processes. These rhythms are often controlled by light, and daily cycles of solar illumination entrain many clock regulated processes. In scleractinian corals a number of different processes and behaviors are associated with specific periods of solar illumination or non-illumination--for example, skeletal deposition, feeding and both brooding and broadcast spawning.

Methodology/principal findings

We have undertaken an analysis of diurnal expression of the whole transcriptome and more focused studies on a number of candidate circadian genes in the coral Acropora millepora using deep RNA sequencing and quantitative PCR. Many examples of diurnal cycles of RNA abundance were identified, some of

SUBMITTER: Brady AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3176305 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature