Social stress and glucocorticoids alter PERIOD2 rhythmicity in the liver, but not in the suprachiasmatic nucleus

The rhythmicity of the clock protein PERIOD2 in the suprachiasmatic nucleus remains unaffected by stress exposure.

• Social defeat stress leads to a delayed phase of PERIOD2 expression in the liver compared to non-defeated control mice.
• Corticosterone exposure does not alter the PER2 rhythm in brain samples from the suprachiasmatic nucleus.
• Corticosterone induces a phase shift in PER2 expression in liver samples, suggesting a differential response to stress between central and peripheral clocks.
• The study supports the notion that the master clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus is resistant to stress, while peripheral clocks, such as those in the liver, are more susceptible.

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