RCO-1's role in controlling certain gene activity is essential for Neurospora's internal clock

RCO-1 is essential for clock function by regulating frq transcription.

• In rco-1 mutants, both overt and molecular circadian rhythms are abolished.
• frq mRNA levels remain constantly high in rco-1 mutants, indicating a disruption in normal regulation.
• Binding of the WHITE COLLAR (WC) complex to the frq promoter is significantly reduced in the absence of RCO-1.
• RCO-1 is shown to suppress WC-independent transcription of frq.
• Normal chromatin structure at the frq locus is maintained by RCO-1.
• Deletion of specific chromatin-related factors leads to WC-independent frq transcription and loss of rhythms.

Simplified