The Neurospora checkpoint kinase 2: a regulatory link between the circadian and cell cycles

Science. 2006 Aug 4;313(5787):644-9. doi: 10.1126/science.1121716. Epub 2006 Jun 29.

Abstract

The clock gene period-4 (prd-4) in Neurospora was identified by a single allele displaying shortened circadian period and altered temperature compensation. Positional cloning followed by functional tests show that PRD-4 is an ortholog of mammalian checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2). Expression of prd-4 is regulated by the circadian clock and, reciprocally, PRD-4 physically interacts with the clock component FRQ, promoting its phosphorylation. DNA-damaging agents can reset the clock in a manner that depends on time of day, and this resetting is dependent on PRD-4. Thus, prd-4, the Neurospora Chk2, identifies a molecular link that feeds back conditionally from circadian output to input and the cell cycle.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Cell Cycle*
  • Checkpoint Kinase 2
  • Circadian Rhythm*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA Damage
  • Feedback, Physiological
  • Fungal Proteins / chemistry
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
  • Genes, Fungal
  • Methyl Methanesulfonate / pharmacology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Neurospora / enzymology*
  • Neurospora / genetics
  • Neurospora crassa / cytology
  • Neurospora crassa / enzymology*
  • Neurospora crassa / physiology*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / chemistry
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*

Substances

  • FRQ protein, Neurospora crassa
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Methyl Methanesulfonate
  • Checkpoint Kinase 2
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases