Department of Biology, York University, Toronto Ontario, Canada.
Adv Genet. 2011;74:55-103. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-387690-4.00003-9.
This chapter describes our current understanding of the genetics of the Neurospora clock and summarizes the important findings in this area in the past decade. Neurospora is the most intensively studied clock system, and the reasons for this are listed. A discussion of the genetic interactions between clock mutants is included, highlighting the utility of dissecting complex mechanisms by genetic means. The molecular details of the Neurospora circadian clock mechanism are described, as well as the mutations that affect the key clock proteins, FRQ, WC-1, and WC-2, with an emphasis on the roles of protein phosphorylation. Studies on additional genes affecting clock properties are described and place these genes into two categories: those that affect the FRQ/WCC oscillator and those that do not. A discussion of temperature compensation and the mutants affecting this property is included. A section is devoted to the observations pertinent to the existence of other oscillators in this organism with respect to their properties, their effects, and their preliminary characterization. The output of the clock and the control of clock-controlled genes are discussed, emphasizing the phasing of these genes and the layers of control. In conclusion, the authors provide an outlook summarizing their suggestions for areas that would be fruitful for further exploration.
这一章描述了我们目前对 Neurospora 生物钟遗传学的理解，并总结了过去十年中这一领域的重要发现。Neurospora 是研究最深入的生物钟系统，列出了选择它的原因。还讨论了生物钟突变体之间的遗传相互作用，突出了通过遗传手段剖析复杂机制的实用性。描述了 Neurospora 生物钟机制的分子细节，以及影响关键生物钟蛋白 FRQ、WC-1 和 WC-2 的突变，重点介绍了蛋白质磷酸化的作用。还描述了影响生物钟特性的其他基因的研究，并将这些基因分为两类：一类影响 FRQ/WCC 振荡器，另一类不影响。讨论了温度补偿以及影响这一特性的突变体。专门有一节讨论了与该生物体内其他振荡器的存在相关的观察结果，包括它们的特性、影响和初步特征。讨论了时钟的输出和时钟控制基因的控制，强调了这些基因的相位和控制层次。最后，作者总结了他们对进一步探索有成效的领域的展望。
