Regulation of rhythmic behaviors by astrocytes

Wiley Interdiscip Rev Dev Biol. 2020 Jul;9(4):e372. doi: 10.1002/wdev.372. Epub 2019 Dec 15.

Abstract

Glial astrocytes of vertebrates and invertebrates are important modulators of nervous system development, physiology, and behavior. In all species examined, astrocytes of the adult brain contain conserved circadian clocks, and multiple studies have shown that these glial cells participate in the regulation of circadian behavior and sleep. This short review summarizes recent work, using fruit fly (Drosophila) and mouse models, that document participation of astrocytes and their endogenous circadian clocks in the control of rhythmic behavior. This article is categorized under: Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Regulatory Mechanisms Nervous System Development > Flies.

Keywords: Drosophila; astrocytes; circadian behavior; glia; mouse; sleep.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • ARNTL Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • ARNTL Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Brain / cytology
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Circadian Clocks / genetics*
  • Circadian Rhythm / genetics*
  • Cryptochromes / genetics*
  • Cryptochromes / metabolism
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics*
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism
  • Drosophila melanogaster / cytology
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Glutamic Acid / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Neuroglia / cytology
  • Neuroglia / metabolism*
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Period Circadian Proteins / genetics*
  • Period Circadian Proteins / metabolism
  • Receptor, Adenosine A1 / genetics
  • Receptor, Adenosine A1 / metabolism
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / genetics
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism
  • Sleep / genetics
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism

Substances

  • ARNTL Transcription Factors
  • Bmal1 protein, mouse
  • Cry1 protein, mouse
  • Cryptochromes
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • PER protein, Drosophila
  • Period Circadian Proteins
  • Receptor, Adenosine A1
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Glutamic Acid
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid