Suprachiasmatic Nucleus: Cell Autonomy and Network Properties

2010/02/11 by David K. Welsh, Joseph S. Takahashi, Steve A. Kay · 1,215 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Neuroscience · #Biology #Biophysics #Cell biology #Circadian rhythm #Circadian rhythm and melatonin #Depolarization #Light effects on plants #Neuroscience #Nucleus #Photoreceptor and optogenetics research #Suprachiasmatic nucleus

paper · doi:10.1146/annurev-physiol-021909-135919

published in Annual Review of Physiology 72(1), 551-577 (Annual Reviews)

openalex publication_date 2010/02/11 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01

Abstract

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the primary circadian pacemaker in mammals. Individual SCN neurons in dispersed culture can generate independent circadian oscillations of clock gene expression and neuronal firing. However, SCN rhythmicity depends on sufficient membrane depolarization and levels of intracellular calcium and cAMP. In the intact SCN, cellular oscillations are synchronized and reinforced by rhythmic synaptic input from other cells, resulting in a reproducible topographic pattern of distinct phases and amplitudes specified by SCN circuit organization. The SCN network synchronizes its component cellular oscillators, reinforces their oscillations, responds to light input by altering their phase distribution, increases their robustness to genetic perturbations, and enhances their precision. Thus, even though individual SCN neurons can be cell-autonomous circadian oscillators, neuronal network properties are integral to normal function of the SCN.

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