Clock-related genes lin-42 and kin-20 control daily rhythms in C. elegans

Mutations in lin-42 and kin-20 in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans generate a significantly longer endogenous period.

• Circadian rhythms allow organisms to adapt to environmental cycles close to 24 hours.
• The central clock is regulated by a transcription-translation feedback loop involving important proteins.
• In C. elegans, lin-42 and kin-20 are conserved counterparts of PERIOD and Casein kinase 1ε/δ.
• Overexpression of lin-42 or kin-20 can partially rescue the longer period caused by their mutations.
• Both LIN-42 and KIN-20 are expressed in neuronal and epidermal seam cells.
• Depletion of LIN-42 and KIN-20 in neuronal cells after development can lengthen the oscillation period.

Simplified