Circadian Activation of the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase MAK-1 Facilitates Rhythms in Clock-Controlled Genes in Neurospora crassa

The deletion of the MAK-1 gene in Neurospora crassa reduced vegetative growth and affected the transcript levels of over 500 genes.

• The circadian clock regulates the activation of MAPKs MAK-1 and MAK-2 in Neurospora crassa.
• Genetic targets of the MAK-1 pathway show enrichment for genes involved in protein synthesis, metabolism, energy production, and transcription.
• More than 25% of the genes affected by MAK-1 disruption were previously identified as potential clock-controlled genes.
• MAK-1 is essential for maintaining robust rhythms in two morning-specific genes, ccg-1 and NCU07465.
• Clock regulation also affects the rhythmic accumulation of a predicted chitin synthase gene, NCU04352.

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