A Mathematical Model of a Retinal Oscillator

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard H. Rand ◽  
Erika T. Wirkus ◽  
Tong Li ◽  
Howard C. Howland
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Light Intensity ◽  
Circadian Oscillator ◽  
Diurnal Rhythms ◽  
Descriptive Model ◽  
Light Levels ◽  
Visual Systems ◽  
Night And Day

Abstract Circadian rhythms in vertebrates (including man) have been conjectured to help control changes in sensitivity of visual systems (which must operate over some 10 orders of magnitude in the course of night and day), by anticipating the changes in light intensity which occur at dusk and dawn (Cahill and Besharse, 1995). Diurnal rhythms in melatonin and dopamine in the retina have been shown to be affected both by a circadian oscillator as well as by changes in local light levels (Cahill and Besharse, 1995). In an experiment conducted in the laboratory of one of the authors (HCH), the growth of the eyes of baby chicks in their first two weeks of life has been shown to be strongly affected by exposure to 20 hours or more of light per day (Li et al., 2000). A descriptive model of the nature of the biochemistry of retinal dynamics has been presented (Morgan and Boelen, 1996). In this work we offer a mathematical model of the retinal oscillator based on the descriptive model given in (Morgan and Boelen, 1996). Using this model we simulate the experiment described in (Li et al., 2000).

scholarly journals Wheat EARLY FLOWERING3 is a dawn-expressed circadian oscillator component that regulates heading date

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukas Wittern ◽  
Gareth Steed ◽  
Laura J Taylor ◽  
Andy Greenland ◽  
Keith Gardner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Heading Date ◽  
Allelic Diversity ◽  
Circadian Oscillator ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Coding Region ◽  
D Genome ◽  
Wheat Varieties ◽  
Causal Polymorphism ◽  
Night And Day

Optimising the seasonal control of flowering in the major crops is an important component of breeding to match crop adaptation to the target environment. Using an eight parent Multiparent Advanced Generation Inter-Cross (MAGIC) population we investigated the contribution of variation at circadian clock-associated genes to the regulation of heading date (flowering) in UK and European winter wheat varieties. We identified homoeologues of EARLY FLOWERING 3 (ELF3) as candidate genes for the Earliness per se (Eps) D1 and B1 loci in field conditions. We confirmed that a SNP within the coding region of TaELF3-B1 is the likely causal polymorphism underlying the Eps-B1 locus. We also identified that a reported deletion at the Eps-D1 locus encompassing TaELF3-D1, is in fact a novel allele that lies within an introgression region that contains an inversion relative to the Chinese Spring D genome. Our findings that ELF3 might be associated with the regulation of heading date prompted us to investigate whether ELF3 is a circadian oscillator gene in wheat, as it is in Arabidopsis. Using T. turgidum cv. Kronos carrying loss of function alleles for both copies of TtELF3 we found that circadian rhythms were severely disrupted. Furthermore, in T. aestivum, we found that loss of functional LUX ARRHYTHMO (LUX), an orthologue of the protein partner of ELF3 in Arabidopsis, also severely disrupted circadian rhythms. Whilst these data suggest a function for both ELF3 and LUX in the wheat circadian oscillator, that oscillator might be structured differently to that of Arabidopsis because wheat ELF3 and LUX transcripts are maximal at the end of the night and day respectively, rather than co-expressed at dusk as they are in Arabidopsis. We conclude that there is sufficient allelic diversity within the three wheat ELF3 homoeologues for selection to delay or advance heading, and that this can be achieved without pleiotropic deleterious alterations to circadian rhythms.

scholarly journals Absence of Daily Rhythms of Prolactin and Corticosterone in Adélie Penguins Under Continuous Daylight

The Condor ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 667-671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol M. Vleck ◽  
Jessamyn A. Van Hook
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Plasma Level ◽  
Light Intensity ◽  
Plasma Prolactin ◽  
Daily Rhythms ◽  
Pygoscelis Adeliae ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Night And Day ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Adélie Penguins

Abstract Plasma prolactin and corticosterone levels were measured in free-living Adélie Penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) at Torgersen Island, Antarctica (64°S latitude), at 4-hr intervals throughout the day during early January 1997 and examined for evidence of a 24-hr rhythm. At this season and latitude, natural daylight is continuous. No significant change in the plasma level of either corticosterone or prolactin was found across the day in this population. In contrast, hormone levels in birds at lower latitudes typically fluctuate between night and day. Our data would not have revealed circadian rhythms within individuals even if they exist, because each bird was only sampled once. The lack of hormone rhythms in the population, however, suggests that changes in light intensity at this latitude in the Antarctic summer are not sufficient to entrain, or perhaps even to maintain, circadian rhythms of individuals. Ausencia de Ciclos Diarios de Prolactina y Corticosterona en Pygoscelis adeliae bajo Luz Solar Continua Resumen. A principios de enero de 1997 en la Isla Torgersen, Antártica (latitud 64°S), se midieron cada 4 horas los niveles de prolactina y corticosterona en el plasma de Pygoscelis adeliae en busca de evidencia de un ciclo hormonal de 24 horas. Durante esta estación del año y a esta latitud, la luz solar es continua. No se encontraron cambios significativos en los niveles de prolactina ni de corticosterona en el plasma a través del día en esta población. En contraste, los niveles hormonales en aves en menores latitudes fluctúan típicamente entre el día y la noche. Aún si existiesen, nuestros datos no habrían revelado la existencia de ritmos circadianos para cada individuo, dado que cada animal fue muestreado una sola vez. Sin embargo, la ausencia de ciclos hormonales a nivel poblacional, sin embargo, indica que los cambios de luz a esta latitud en el verano antártico no son suficientes para sincronizar, o quizás ni siquiera para mantener, ritmos circadianos en los individuos.

Disrupted circadian rhythms in VIP- and PHI-deficient mice

2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (5) ◽  
pp. R939-R949 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher S. Colwell ◽  
Stephan Michel ◽  
Jason Itri ◽  
Williams Rodriguez ◽  
J. Tam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Wheel Running ◽  
Activity Rhythm ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Circadian System ◽  
Diurnal Rhythms ◽  
Constant Darkness ◽  
Light Cycle ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Deficient Mice

The related neuropeptides vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI) are expressed at high levels in the neurons of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), but their function in the regulation of circadian rhythms is unknown. To study the role of these peptides on the circadian system in vivo, a new mouse model was developed in which both VIP and PHI genes were disrupted by homologous recombination. In a light-dark cycle, these mice exhibited diurnal rhythms in activity which were largely indistinguishable from wild-type controls. In constant darkness, the VIP/PHI-deficient mice exhibited pronounced abnormalities in their circadian system. The activity patterns started ∼8 h earlier than predicted by the previous light cycle. In addition, lack of VIP/PHI led to a shortened free-running period and a loss of the coherence and precision of the circadian locomotor activity rhythm. In about one-quarter of VIP/PHI mice examined, the wheel-running rhythm became arrhythmic after several weeks in constant darkness. Another striking example of these deficits is seen in the split-activity patterns expressed by the mutant mice when they were exposed to a skeleton photoperiod. In addition, the VIP/PHI-deficient mice exhibited deficits in the response of their circadian system to light. Electrophysiological analysis indicates that VIP enhances inhibitory synaptic transmission within the SCN of wild-type and VIP/PHI-deficient mice. Together, the observations suggest that VIP/PHI peptides are critically involved in both the generation of circadian oscillations as well as the normal synchronization of these rhythms to light.

How to tell the time: the regulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plants

2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 728-730 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.G. Nimmo
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase ◽  
Crassulacean Acid Metabolism ◽  
Acid Metabolism ◽  
Circadian Oscillator ◽  
Cam Plants ◽  
Reversible Phosphorylation ◽  
Circadian Expression ◽  
Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase Kinase ◽  
Co2 Metabolism

Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plants exhibit persistent circadian rhythms of CO2 metabolism. These rhythms are driven by changes in the flux through phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, which is regulated by reversible phosphorylation in response to a circadian oscillator. This article reviews progress in our understanding of the circadian expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase kinase.

scholarly journals Leaf Characteristics and Yield Performance of Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) Varieties under Different Levels of Shading

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 40-51
Author(s):  
M A Hossain ◽  
M A Hasan ◽  
S Sikder ◽  
A K M M B Chowdhury
Keyword(s):  
Light Intensity ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Vigna Radiata ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Light Levels ◽  
Spongy Layer ◽  
Partial Shade ◽  
Shade Condition ◽  
Reduced Light ◽  
Leaf Dry Weight

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the leaf characteristics and yield performances of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) under different light levels at the Crop Physiology and Ecology Research Field of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur during March to June 2016. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications. Three light levels (L100 - 100 % light intensity, L75- 75 % light intensity and L50- 50% light intensity) were assigned in the main plots and four varieties (BARl Mung-6, BINA Mung-8, BINA Mung-5 and BU Mug-4) were assigned in subplots. Mosquito nets of different pore size were used for maintaining 75 and 50 percent light intensity. Leaf area was increased due to reduced light levels in all mugbean varieties but the increment was significant in BINA Mung-5 and BINA Mung-8 only at 75% light intensity at 40 days after sowing and only in BARI Mung-6 with L50 and BU Mug-4 with L75 and L50at 50 days after sowing. Due to reduced light levels, leaf dry weight was affected more in BINA Mung-5 and BU Mug- 4 than BARI Mung-6 and BINA Mung-8. Leaf thickness was reduced under shade in all the mungbean varieties, except in BU Mug-4 at 75% light intensity, and the reduction in leaf thickness was mainly due to the reduction in thickness of spongy layer. The palisade layer thickness was influenced insignificantly but spongy layer thickness was increased in BINA Mung-5 at 100% light intensity. The grain yields (t ha-1) of BARI Mung-6 and BINA Mung-8 remained stable under partial shade condition but the grain yield of BINA Mung-5 and BU Mug-4 was reduced drastically under partial shade condition. Higher leaf dry weight, number of pods plant-1, seeds pod-1, and heavier grains in BARI Mung-6 and BINA Mung-8 contributed to the higher grain yield plant-1 under partial shade condition than in BINA Mung-5 and BU Mug-4.The Agriculturists 2017; 15(2) 40-51

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