Circadian organization of tau mutant hamsters: aftereffects and splitting.

Homozygous tau mutant (tau(ss)) hamsters show an extremely short (20 h) circadian period (tau) that is attributable to altered enzymatic activity of casein kinase 1epsilon. It has been proposed that coupling of constituent circadian oscillators is strengthened in tau(ss) hamsters, explaining their tendency to show strong resetting after prolonged exposure to constant darkness. To evaluate further the circadian organization of tau(ss) hamsters, the authors assessed the extent of shortening of period as an aftereffect of exposure to light:dark cycles whose period (T) is 91% of tau and the ability of constant light to induce splitting. They find that tau(ss) hamsters show aftereffects comparable to wild types, indicating that normal CK1epsilon activity is not required for T cycles to shorten tau. This finding also contradicts the proposal that circadian period is homeostatically conserved. However, the authors find that tau(ss) hamsters rarely show splitting in constant light. Furthermore, LL does not induce lengthening of tau or reduction of activity duration (alpha) in these mutants. The authors' findings support the conclusion that the tau mutation alters the coupling between constituent circadian oscillators.