The circadian clock in Arabidopsis roots is a simplified slave version of the clock in shoots

James, A.B. , Monreal, J.A., Nimmo, G.A., Kelly, C.L., Herzyk, P. , Jenkins, G.I. and Nimmo, H.G. (2008) The circadian clock in Arabidopsis roots is a simplified slave version of the clock in shoots. Science, 322(5909), pp. 1832-1835. (doi: 10.1126/science.1161403)

Abstract

The circadian oscillator in eukaryotes consists of several interlocking feedback loops through which the expression of clock genes is controlled. It is generally assumed that all plant cells contain essentially identical and cell- autonomous multiloop clocks. Here, we show that the circadian clock in the roots of mature <i>Arabidopsis</i> plants differs markedly from that in the shoots and that the root clock is synchronized by a photosynthesis- related signal from the shoot. Two of the feedback loops of the plant circadian clock are disengaged in roots, because two key clock components, the transcription factors CCA1 and LHY, are able to inhibit gene expression in shoots but not in roots. Thus, the plant clock is organ- specific but not organ- autonomous.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Nimmo, Dr Gillian and Nimmo, Professor Hugh and Herzyk, Dr Pawel and Jenkins, Professor Gareth and James, Dr Allan
• Authors: James, A.B., Monreal, J.A., Nimmo, G.A., Kelly, C.L., Herzyk, P., Jenkins, G.I., and Nimmo, H.G.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Life Sciences
• Journal Name: Science
• Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science
• ISSN: 0036-8075
• ISSN (Online): 1095-9203
• Published Online: 01 January 2008