Pigment Dispersing Factor: An Output Regulator of the Circadian Clock in the German Cockroach

Jan 20, 2009Journal of biological rhythms

Pigment dispersing factor as a regulator of the daily biological clock in the German cockroach

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Abstract

Injecting double-strand RNA targeting pigment-dispersing factor (PDF) resulted in a significant decrease in pdf mRNA levels in German cockroaches, persisting for at least 56 days.

  • The injection of pdf double-strand RNA led to a marked reduction in pdf mRNA levels from the 2nd day post-injection.
  • Clock cells in cockroaches treated with pdf dsRNA failed to be stained by anti-PDF antibodies, indicating a loss of PDF production.
  • Cockroaches that received pdf dsRNA injections exhibited a loss of rhythmic locomotor activity in both light-dark cycles and constant darkness.
  • Following pdf dsRNA injection, the peak of locomotor activity that typically occurs after lights-off diminished over time.
  • These observations suggest that PDF may function as a regulator of locomotor circadian rhythm in German cockroaches.

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