CLOCK and NPAS2 have overlapping roles in the circadian oscillation of arylalkylamine N‐acetyltransferase mRNA in chicken cone photoreceptors

Knockdown of CLOCK protein reduced the circadian expression of Aanat transcripts.

• Npas2 and Clock are expressed in photoreceptor cells both in living organisms and in laboratory cultures.
• The reduction of CLOCK protein led to decreased circadian levels of Npas2, Per2, and Aanat transcripts.
• NPAS2 knockdown dampened the circadian rhythm of Aanat mRNAs but did not significantly affect other clock genes.
• Both CLOCK and NPAS2 bind to the Aanat promoter, suggesting their involvement in its regulation.
• CLOCK appears to have a more dominant role in regulating Aanat expression within the photoreceptor circadian rhythm.

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