The Role of Doublecortin-like in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus

Abstract

The hypothalamic Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN) is known as the central biological clock that regulates circadian rhythmicity in mammals. Through vasopressin (AVP) processing in its shell, the SCN signals to other brain areas and peripheral organs in the body. A novel protein, Doublecortin-like (DCL) was identified to have overlapping expression with that of AVP. Mice with SCN-specific DCL-knockdown show abnormal activity adaption after a change in light-phase, and immunohistochemical AVP staining indicate a distortion of AVP in the SCN of DCL-knockdown mice. Together, we conclude that DCL may be a novel regulator of AVP signalling in the SCN.