Prokineticin 2 and the body's internal clock signals

Prokineticin 2 (PK2) has been identified as a potential regulator of circadian locomotor behavior.

• Circadian timing is crucial for sleep regulation, with significant interactions between circadian signals and homeostatic sleep processes.
• PK2 is linked to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and plays a role in controlling circadian behaviors.
• The molecular rhythm of PK2 in the SCN is largely influenced by circadian transcriptional and translational loops, and it is also directly affected by light.
• The receptor for PK2 is found in key brain regions that control circadian behaviors, including sleep-wake cycles.
• PK2 may influence circadian rhythms by depolarizing neurons that express its receptor.

Simplified