Neuronal Activity in Non-LNv Clock Cells Is Required to Produce Free-Running Rest:Activity Rhythms in Drosophila

Neuronal firing across multiple clock cell populations is necessary to produce free-running rhythms of rest and activity.

• Eliminating molecular clock function in specific clock neuron subsets has a subtle effect on circadian rhythms.
• Network connectivity among clock neurons can compensate for the absence of molecular oscillations in some cells.
• Small ventrolateral clock neurons are not capable of driving rhythms without communication with other clock network cells.
• Dorsolateral clock neurons play a crucial role in maintaining circadian rhythm strength, independent of molecular cycling in small ventrolateral cells.
• The findings suggest a hierarchical organization of circadian information processing among clock cell populations.

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