GABAergic mechanisms in the suprachiasmatic nucleus that influence circadian rhythm
Open Access
- 1 April 2021
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Wiley in Journal of Neurochemistry
- Vol. 157 (1), 31-41
- https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.15012
Abstract
The mammalian central circadian clock is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus. The SCN contains multiple circadian oscillators which synchronize with each other via several neurotransmitters. Importantly, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), is expressed in almost all SCN neurons. In this review, we discuss how GABA influences circadian rhythms in the SCN. Excitatory and inhibitory effects of GABA may depend on intracellular Cl- concentration, in which several factors such as day-length, time of day, development, and region in the SCN may be involved. GABA also mediates oscillatory coupling of the circadian rhythms in the SCN. Recent genetic approaches reveal that GABA refines circadian output rhythms, but not circadian oscillations in the SCN. Since several efferent projections of the SCN have been suggested, GABA might work downstream of neuronal pathways from the SCN which regulate the temporal order of physiology and behavior.Funding Information
- Secom Science and Technology Foundation
- Daiko Foundation
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (15H04679, 15K12763, 18H02477)
- Uehara Memorial Foundation
- Kowa Life Science Foundation
- Takeda Science Foundation
- Kato Memorial Bioscience Foundation
- Nakatani Foundation for Advancement of Measuring Technologies in Biomedical Engineering
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