Glycogen synthase kinase controls the daily biological clock in Neurospora crassa

Glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) is identified as a crucial component of the circadian clock in Neurospora crassa.

• GSK regulates the levels of the white collar complex (WCC) transcription factor post-transcriptionally.
• GSK specifically binds to and phosphorylates both subunits of the WCC.
• Reduced GSK expression leads to increased levels of WC-1, which is the limiting factor of the WCC.
• An increase in WC-1 results in an accelerated circadian clock and a shorter free-running period.

Simplified