Circadian neurons in the paraventricular nucleus entrain and sustain daily rhythms in glucocorticoids.

ABSTRACT: Signals from the central circadian pacemaker, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), must be decoded to generate daily rhythms in hormone release. Here, we hypothesized that the SCN entrains rhythms in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) to time the daily release of corticosterone. In vivo recording revealed a critical circuit from SCN vasoactive intestinal peptide (SCN^VIP)-producing neurons to PVN corticotropin-releasing hormone (PVN^CRH)-producing neurons. PVN^CRH neurons peak in clock gene expression around midday and in calcium activity about three hours later. Loss of the clock gene Bmal1 in CRH neurons results in arrhythmic PVN^CRH calcium activity and dramatically reduces the amplitude and precision of daily corticosterone release. SCN^VIP

SUBMITTER: Jones JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8486846 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature