Modeling the nighttime behavior and interaction of key clock proteins in Neurospora's daily rhythm

The model predicts that even small amounts of nuclear FRQ-protein can inhibit frq transcription by promoting WC-1 degradation.

• Circadian rhythms are crucial for organisms' adaptation to their environments.
• Circadian oscillations are linked to transcriptional-translational negative feedback loops.
• In Neurospora crassa, FREQUENCY (FRQ) interacts with its transcription factor WHITE COLLAR-1 (WC-1) as part of this feedback mechanism.
• Lower levels of nuclear FRQ compared to WC-1 suggest that FRQ functions more like a catalyst rather than forming an inactive complex with WC-1.
• The constructed model aligns well with experimental data, including levels of FRQ and WC-1 and their phase relationships.

Simplified