Coupling of human circadian and cell cycles by the timeless protein

Mol Cell Biol. 2005 Apr;25(8):3109-16. doi: 10.1128/MCB.25.8.3109-3116.2005.

Abstract

The Timeless protein is essential for circadian rhythm in Drosophila. The Timeless orthologue in mice is essential for viability and appears to be required for the maintenance of a robust circadian rhythm as well. We have found that the human Timeless protein interacts with both the circadian clock protein cryptochrome 2 and with the cell cycle checkpoint proteins Chk1 and the ATR-ATRIP complex and plays an important role in the DNA damage checkpoint response. Down-regulation of Timeless in human cells seriously compromises replication and intra-S checkpoints, indicating an intimate connection between the circadian cycle and the DNA damage checkpoints that is in part mediated by the Timeless protein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins
  • Cell Cycle / physiology*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Checkpoint Kinase 1
  • Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly / physiology
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology*
  • Cryptochromes
  • DNA Damage*
  • DNA Replication / drug effects
  • DNA Replication / physiology
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Exodeoxyribonucleases / metabolism
  • Flavoproteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyurea / pharmacology
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*

Substances

  • ATRIP protein, human
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cryptochromes
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Flavoproteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • TIMELESS protein, human
  • Timeless protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factors
  • Protein Kinases
  • ATR protein, human
  • Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins
  • CHEK1 protein, human
  • Checkpoint Kinase 1
  • Chek1 protein, mouse
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Exodeoxyribonucleases
  • three prime repair exonuclease 1
  • Hydroxyurea