Photic induction of Period gene expression is reduced in Clock mutant mice

The Clock mutation leads to abnormal circadian behavior and defective transcriptional activity of CLOCK, a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH)/PAS protein. In situ hybridization was used to assess whether the Clock mutation affects the photic induction of mPer1, mPer2, and c-fos in the mouse suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Exposure of wild-type mice to a 15 min light pulse at night rapidly induced expression of c-fos mRNA, with mPer1 and mPer2 mRNAs peaking later. Light exposure also increased c-fos, mPer1 and mPer2 mRNA levels in the SCN of homozygous Clock mutant mice, but the amplitude of the response to light was significantly reduced. Clock appears to play a role in circadian photoreception that is distinct from its role in the circadian oscillatory mechanism.