Seasonal Plasticity in GABA^A Signaling is Necessary for Restoring Phase Synchrony in the Master Circadian Clock Network

Authors

Kayla Rohr, Marquette University
Harshida Pancholi, Marquette University
Shabi Haider, Marquette University
Christopher Karow, Marquette University
David Modert, Marquette University
Nicholas J. Raddatz, Marquette UniversityFollow
Jennifer A. Evans, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

11-20-2019

Publisher

eLife Science Publications

Source Publication

eLife

Source ISSN

2050-084X

Abstract

Annual changes in the environment threaten survival, and numerous biological processes in mammals adjust to this challenge via seasonal encoding by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). To tune behavior according to day length, SCN neurons display unified rhythms with synchronous phasing when days are short, but will divide into two sub-clusters when days are long. The transition between SCN states is critical for maintaining behavioral responses to seasonal change, but the mechanisms regulating this form of neuroplasticity remain unclear. Here we identify that a switch in chloride transport and GABA_A signaling is critical for maintaining state plasticity in the SCN network. Further, we reveal that blocking excitatory GABA_A signaling locks the SCN into its long day state. Collectively, these data demonstrate that plasticity in GABA_A signaling dictates how clock neurons interact to maintain environmental encoding. Further, this work highlights factors that may influence susceptibility to seasonal disorders in humans.

Comments

Published version. eLife, (November 20, 2019): e49578. DOI. © 2019 eLife Science Publications. Used with permission.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Rohr, Kayla; Pancholi, Harshida; Haider, Shabi; Karow, Christopher; Modert, David; Raddatz, Nicholas J.; and Evans, Jennifer A., "Seasonal Plasticity in GABA^A Signaling is Necessary for Restoring Phase Synchrony in the Master Circadian Clock Network" (2019). Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications. 194.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/biomedsci_fac/194