Circadian changes in long noncoding RNAs in the pineal gland

Steven L. Coon, Peter J. Munson, Praveen F. Cherukuri, David Sugden, Martin F. Rath, Morten Moller, Samuel J. H. Clokie, Cong Fu, Mary E. Olanich, Zoila Rangel, Thomas Werner, James C. Mullikin, David C. Klein, NISC Comparative Sequencing Progra

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

76 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a broad range of biological roles, including regulation of expression of genes and chromosomes. Here, we present evidence that lncRNAs are involved in vertebrate circadian biology. Differential night/day expression of 112 lncRNAs (0.3 to >50 kb) occurs in the rat pineal gland, which is the source of melatonin, the hormone of the night. Approximately one-half of these changes reflect nocturnal increases. Studies of eight lncRNAs with 2- to >100-fold daily rhythms indicate that, in most cases, the change results from neural stimulation from the central circadian oscillator in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (doubling time = 0.5-1.3 h). Light exposure at night rapidly reverses (halving time = 9-32 min) levels of some of these lncRNAs. Organ culture studies indicate that expression of these lncRNAs is regulated by norepinephrine acting through cAMP. These findings point to a dynamic role of lncRNAs in the circadian system.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)13319-13324
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume109
Issue number33
Early online date3 Aug 2012
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 Aug 2012

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