2026-07-15 ワシントン州立大学（WSU）
＜関連情報＞
- https://news.wsu.edu/press-release/2026/07/14/study-reveals-a-winter-version-of-the-biological-clock/
- https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aed4249
概日時計の中核遺伝子のスプライシングは、冬季のゲート機構によって季節適応を制御する Splicing of a core circadian clock gene regulates seasonal adaptations by a winter gating mechanism
Sergio Hidalgo, Rodrigo Del Rio, Christine A. Tabuloc, Lorenzo A. Perez Hernandez, […] , and Joanna C. Chiu
Science Advances Published:15 Jul 2026
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aed4249
Abstract
Organisms adjust their physiology and behavior in response to seasonal changes. The current working model indicates that the circadian clock is involved in this process, but the molecular mechanisms mediating the integration of seasonal cues are still unclear. Notably, the circadian neuropeptide pigment-dispersing factor (PDF), an output of the circadian clock, has been shown to alter its expression and activity in response to seasonal changes to facilitate seasonal adaptations in insects. Here, we show that the alternative splicing of a circadian clock gene, timeless (tim), regulates the seasonal responses through PDF in Drosophila melanogaster. We found that tim-sc, the predominant isoform in winter, is regulated by photoperiod, while the canonical tim-l isoform is not. In addition, we demonstrated that tim-sc is used to maintain physiology and behavior in a “winter lock” state by modulating PDF. Our results support a role of isoform-specific characteristics in providing circadian clock components with the ability to modulate seasonal physiology.
