Changes in gene activity across the whole genome in response to light and dark cycles in a simple sea animal

More than 3,000 genes exhibited significant expression differences between light and dark conditions in the starlet sea anemone, Nematostella vectensis.

• Approximately 13% of transcripts showed altered expression patterns due to diurnal lighting.
• Most genes exhibited higher expression during the light phase compared to the dark phase.
• After removal of the light cue, 678 genes lost their differential expression, indicating potential temporal limits of light-entrained gene regulation.
• Genes related to the cell cycle and transcription maintained their expression patterns in the absence of light, while those associated with metabolism, immunity, and signal transduction did not.
• These findings suggest a significant role for diel light cycles in circadian mechanisms affecting fundamental biological processes.

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