In Search of ‘Circadian Transmitters’—Molecular Signals That Orchestrate Circadian Clocks
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioorganic Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2022) | Viewed by 438
Special Issue Editors
Interests: circadian neuroscience; neural oscillations; computational neuroscience
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: circadian neurophysiology
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Our deepening knowledge of the circadian clock has enabled us to expand our investigation into the organization of the circadian timing system composed of multiple neuronal and non-neuronal oscillators. Central to the coordination of circadian clocks in this system are molecules transmitting information regarding circadian phase and amplitude. The suprachiasmatic nucleus, known as the ‘master circadian clock’, has already revealed complex interplay among clock cells expressing multiple neuropeptides in addition to the classical neurotransmitters such as glutamate and GABA. It is now known that circadian clocks exist in other regions of the brain, utilizing different kinds of neurotransmitters that are propagated synaptically or by fluid circulation and diffusion. The insights gained from these findings lead us to the next questions: What are the transmitters that different circadian oscillators use to communicate with each other, and how are these signaling molecules interpreted by the circadian oscillators on the receiving end? In other words, what is the neurochemical basis of the intricate interplay amongst biological oscillators? The challenges posed by these questions require not only experimental but also theoretical approaches, which can substantially help untangle the topology and differential weightings of the various neurotransmitters through the complex hierarchical synchronization routes across different brain regions and peripheral clocks. The eventual clarification of ‘circadian transmitters’ will help us to find treatments for circadian rhythm disorders.
Prof. Jihwan Myung
Dr. Lukasz Chrobok
Dr. Christoph Schmal
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- circadian transmitter
- intercellular signaling
- circadian clock
- circadian orchestration
