The Nuclear Receptor unfulfilled Is Required for Free-Running Clocks in Drosophila Pacemaker Neurons

The nuclear receptor gene unfulfilled (unf) is required for the function of the small ventral lateral neurons (s-LNvs) in Drosophila.

• s-LNvs are identified as the main pacemaker neurons that synchronize circadian rhythms.
• unf is rhythmically expressed in s-LNvs and is necessary for maintaining free-running locomotor rhythms.
• Flies with mutations in unf display behavior that is arrhythmic, indicating its role in circadian control.
• Knockdown of unf during development leads to a permanent loss of rhythm-generating ability in adult s-LNvs.
• Depletion of UNF from adult s-LNvs reduces rhythmicity only under constant darkness, suggesting a context-dependent role.
• The study indicates that UNF is essential for the coordination of molecular and behavioral rhythms across the circadian circuit.

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