The Regulatory Factor ZFHX3 Modifies Circadian Function in SCN via an at Motif-Driven Axis

Michael J. Parsons, Marco Brancaccio, Siddharth Sethi, Elizabeth S. Maywood, Rahul Satija, Jessica K. Edwards, Aarti Jagannath, Yvonne Couch, Mattéa J. Finelli, Nicola J. Smyllie, Christopher Esapa, Rachel Butler, Alun R. Barnard, Johanna E. Chesham, Shoko Saito, Greg Joynson, Sara Wells, Russell G. Foster, Peter L. Oliver, Michelle M. SimonAnn Marie Mallon, Michael H. Hastings, Patrick M. Nolan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We identified a dominant missense mutation in the SCN transcription factor Zfhx3, termed short circuit (Zfhx3Sci), which accelerates circadian locomotor rhythms in mice. ZFHX3 regulates transcription via direct interaction with predicted AT motifs in target genes. The mutant protein has a decreased ability to activate consensus AT motifs in vitro. Using RNA sequencing, we found minimal effects on core clock genes in Zfhx3Sci/+ SCN, whereas the expression of neuropeptides critical for SCN intercellular signaling was significantly disturbed. Moreover, mutant ZFHX3 had a decreased ability to activate AT motifs in the promoters of these neuropeptide genes. Lentiviral transduction of SCN slices showed that the ZFHX3-mediated activation of AT motifs is circadian, with decreased amplitude and robustness of these oscillations in Zfhx3Sci/+ SCN slices. In conclusion, by cloning Zfhx3Sci, we have uncovered a circadian transcriptional axis that determines the period and robustness of behavioral and SCN molecular rhythms.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)607-621
Number of pages15
JournalCell
Volume162
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Regulatory Factor ZFHX3 Modifies Circadian Function in SCN via an at Motif-Driven Axis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this