Genes for iron metabolism influence circadian rhythms in Drosophila melanogaster

Metallomics. 2012 Aug;4(9):928-36. doi: 10.1039/c2mt20065a.

Abstract

Haem has been previously implicated in the function of the circadian clock, but whether iron homeostasis is integrated with circadian rhythms is unknown. Here we describe an RNA interference (RNAi) screen using clock neurons of Drosophila melanogaster. RNAi is targeted to iron metabolism genes, including those involved in haem biosynthesis and degradation. The results indicate that Ferritin 2 Light Chain Homologue (Fer2LCH) is required for the circadian activity of flies kept in constant darkness. Oscillations of the core components in the molecular clock, PER and TIM, were also disrupted following Fer2LCH silencing. Other genes with a putative function in circadian biology include Transferrin-3, CG1358 (which has homology to the FLVCR haem export protein) and five genes implicated in iron-sulfur cluster biosynthesis: the Drosophila homologues of IscS (CG12264), IscU (CG9836), IscA1 (CG8198), Iba57 (CG8043) and Nubp2 (CG4858). Therefore, Drosophila genes involved in iron metabolism are required for a functional biological clock.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Circadian Clocks / genetics
  • Circadian Rhythm / genetics*
  • Darkness
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / physiology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genes, Insect / genetics*
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Genetic Testing
  • Iron / metabolism*
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • RNA Interference

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Iron