Circadian clock genes perform dual roles as systemic oscillators and context-dependent regulators

Mutations in specific clock genes can cause major developmental phenotypes without disrupting systemic rhythms.

• Clock genes may serve dual roles in plants, functioning both as parts of the systemic oscillator and as regulators of developmental timing.
• Observations suggest that specific clock genes can influence development independently of their role in generating rhythmicity.
• The proposed model refines the classical oscillator concept by emphasizing the context-dependent functions of clock genes.
• The evolutionary history of clock genes may involve the repurposing of transcription factors that initially had developmental functions.
• Insights into the deployment of clock components in various tissues could enhance the understanding of the relationship between timekeeping and development.

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