Abstract
Cholinergic stimuli are potent regulators of the circadian clock in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Using a brain slice model, we have found that the SCN clock is subject to muscarinic regulation, a sensitivity expressed only during the night of the clock's 24-h cycle. Pharmacological and signal transduction characteristics are compatible with a response mediated by an M1-like receptor. Molecular manipulation of muscarinic receptors will provide important insights as to the receptor subtype(s) regulating circadian rhythms.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Carbachol / pharmacology
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Cholinergic Agonists / pharmacology
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Circadian Rhythm / physiology*
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Cyclic GMP / analogs & derivatives*
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Cyclic GMP / pharmacology
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In Vitro Techniques
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Models, Biological
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Muscarinic Antagonists / pharmacology
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Neurons / drug effects
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Neurons / physiology*
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Rats
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Receptor, Muscarinic M1
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Receptors, Muscarinic / metabolism*
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Signal Transduction
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Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / drug effects
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Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / physiology*
Substances
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Cholinergic Agonists
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Muscarinic Antagonists
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Receptor, Muscarinic M1
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Receptors, Muscarinic
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8-bromocyclic GMP
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Carbachol
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Cyclic GMP