Disrupted daily rhythm gene activity in the brain’s internal clock of Clock mutant mice

DEC1 and DEC2 expression is significantly reduced in Clock mutant mice.

• Dec1 and Dec2 are transcription factors that resemble components of the circadian clock.
• Their expression is rhythmic in the rat suprachiasmatic nuclei and influenced by light.
• In Clock mutant mice, Dec1 expression becomes arrhythmic, while Dec2 remains weakly rhythmic in a light-dark cycle but is arrhythmic in constant darkness.
• A notable reduction in Dec1 and Dec2 signals is observed across all brain areas in Clock mutant mice.
• These findings suggest that the Clock gene plays a role in regulating Dec1 and Dec2 expression in vivo.

Simplified