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Buijink MR, Olde Engberink AHO, Wit CB, Almog A, Meijer JH, Rohling JHT, Michel S. Aging Affects the Capacity of Photoperiodic Adaptation Downstream from the Central Molecular Clock. J Biol Rhythms 2020; 35:167-179. [PMID: 31983261 PMCID: PMC7134598 DOI: 10.1177/0748730419900867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Aging impairs circadian clock function, leading to disrupted sleep-wake patterns and a reduced capability to adapt to changes in environmental light conditions. This makes shift work or the changing of time zones challenging for the elderly and, importantly, is associated with the development of age-related diseases. However, it is unclear what levels of the clock machinery are affected by aging, which is relevant for the development of targeted interventions. We found that naturally aged mice of >24 months had a reduced rhythm amplitude in behavior compared with young controls (3-6 months). Moreover, the old animals had a strongly reduced ability to adapt to short photoperiods. Recording PER2::LUC protein expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus revealed no impairment of the rhythms in PER2 protein under the 3 different photoperiods tested (LD: 8:16, 12:12, and 16:8). Thus, we observed a discrepancy between the behavioral phenotype and the molecular clock, and we conclude that the aging-related deficits emerge downstream of the core molecular clock. Since it is known that aging affects several intracellular and membrane components of the central clock cells, it is likely that an impairment of the interaction between the molecular clock and these components is contributing to the deficits in photoperiod adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Renate Buijink
- Department of Cellular and Chemical Biology, Laboratory for Neurophysiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Anneke H O Olde Engberink
- Department of Cellular and Chemical Biology, Laboratory for Neurophysiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Charlotte B Wit
- Department of Cellular and Chemical Biology, Laboratory for Neurophysiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Assaf Almog
- Lorentz Institute for Theoretical Physics, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Johanna H Meijer
- Department of Cellular and Chemical Biology, Laboratory for Neurophysiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jos H T Rohling
- Department of Cellular and Chemical Biology, Laboratory for Neurophysiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Stephan Michel
- Department of Cellular and Chemical Biology, Laboratory for Neurophysiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Deibel SH, Zelinski EL, Keeley RJ, Kovalchuk O, McDonald RJ. Epigenetic alterations in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and hippocampus contribute to age-related cognitive decline. Oncotarget 2016; 6:23181-203. [PMID: 26252151 PMCID: PMC4695111 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/31/1969] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Circadian rhythm dysfunction and cognitive decline, specifically memory loss, frequently accompany natural aging. Circadian rhythms and memory are intertwined, as circadian rhythms influence memory formation and recall in young and old rodents. Although, the precise relationship between circadian rhythms and memory is still largely unknown, it is hypothesized that circadian rhythm disruption, which occurs during aging, contributes to age-associated cognitive decline, specifically memory loss. While there are a variety of mechanisms that could mediate this effect, changes in the epigenome that occur during aging has been proposed as a potential candidate. Interestingly, epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and sirtuin1 (SIRT1) are necessary for both circadian rhythms and memory. During aging, similar alterations of epigenetic mechanisms occur in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and hippocampus, which are necessary for circadian rhythm generation and memory, respectively. Recently, circadian rhythms have been linked to epigenetic function in the hippocampus, as some of these epigenetic mechanisms oscillate in the hippocampus and are disrupted by clock gene deletion. The current paper will review how circadian rhythms and memory change with age, and will suggest how epigenetic changes in these processes might contribute to age-related cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott H Deibel
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Erin L Zelinski
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Robin J Keeley
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Olga Kovalchuk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Robert J McDonald
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
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Zhao X, Hirota T, Han X, Cho H, Chong LW, Lamia K, Liu S, Atkins AR, Banayo E, Liddle C, Yu RT, Yates JR, Kay SA, Downes M, Evans RM. Circadian Amplitude Regulation via FBXW7-Targeted REV-ERBα Degradation. Cell 2016; 165:1644-1657. [PMID: 27238018 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2015] [Revised: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Defects in circadian rhythm influence physiology and behavior with implications for the treatment of sleep disorders, metabolic disease, and cancer. Although core regulatory components of clock rhythmicity have been defined, insight into the mechanisms underpinning amplitude is limited. Here, we show that REV-ERBα, a core inhibitory component of clock transcription, is targeted for ubiquitination and subsequent degradation by the F-box protein FBXW7. By relieving REV-ERBα-dependent repression, FBXW7 provides an unrecognized mechanism for enhancing the amplitude of clock gene transcription. Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1)-mediated phosphorylation of REV-ERBα is necessary for FBXW7 recognition. Moreover, targeted hepatic disruption of FBXW7 alters circadian expression of core clock genes and perturbs whole-body lipid and glucose levels. This CDK1-FBXW7 pathway controlling REV-ERBα repression defines an unexpected molecular mechanism for re-engaging the positive transcriptional arm of the clock, as well as a potential route to manipulate clock amplitude via small molecule CDK1 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhao
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Tsuyoshi Hirota
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan; PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Xuemei Han
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Han Cho
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Ling-Wa Chong
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Katja Lamia
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sihao Liu
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Annette R Atkins
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Ester Banayo
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Christopher Liddle
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Millennium Institute, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Ruth T Yu
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - John R Yates
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Steve A Kay
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan; Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Michael Downes
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Ronald M Evans
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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Ramkisoensing A, Meijer JH. Synchronization of Biological Clock Neurons by Light and Peripheral Feedback Systems Promotes Circadian Rhythms and Health. Front Neurol 2015; 6:128. [PMID: 26097465 PMCID: PMC4456861 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2015.00128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) functions as a circadian clock that drives 24-h rhythms in both physiology and behavior. The SCN is a multicellular oscillator in which individual neurons function as cell-autonomous oscillators. The production of a coherent output rhythm is dependent upon mutual synchronization among single cells and requires both synaptic communication and gap junctions. Changes in phase-synchronization between individual cells have consequences on the amplitude of the SCN’s electrical activity rhythm, and these changes play a major role in the ability to adapt to seasonal changes. Both aging and sleep deprivation negatively affect the circadian amplitude of the SCN, whereas behavioral activity (i.e., exercise) has a positive effect on amplitude. Given that the amplitude of the SCN’s electrical activity rhythm is essential for achieving robust rhythmicity in physiology and behavior, the mechanisms that underlie neuronal synchronization warrant further study. A growing body of evidence suggests that the functional integrity of the SCN contributes to health, well-being, cognitive performance, and alertness; in contrast, deterioration of the 24-h rhythm is a risk factor for neurodegenerative disease, cancer, depression, and sleep disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashna Ramkisoensing
- Laboratory for Neurophysiology, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center , Leiden , Netherlands
| | - Johanna H Meijer
- Laboratory for Neurophysiology, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center , Leiden , Netherlands
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Kauffman AS, Sun Y, Kim J, Khan AR, Shu J, Neal-Perry G. Vasoactive intestinal peptide modulation of the steroid-induced LH surge involves kisspeptin signaling in young but not in middle-aged female rats. Endocrinology 2014; 155:2222-32. [PMID: 24654782 PMCID: PMC4020928 DOI: 10.1210/en.2013-1793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Age-related LH surge dysfunction in middle-aged rats is characterized, in part, by reduced responsiveness to estradiol (E2)-positive feedback and reduced hypothalamic kisspeptin neurotransmission. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus project to hypothalamic regions that house kisspeptin neurons. Additionally, middle-age females express less VIP mRNA in the suprachiasmatic nucleus on the day of the LH surge and intracerebroventricular (icv) VIP infusion restores LH surges. We tested the hypothesis that icv infusion of VIP modulates the LH surge through effects on the kisspeptin and RFamide-related peptide-3 (RFRP-3; an estradiol-regulated inhibitor of GnRH neurons) neurotransmitter systems. Brains were collected for in situ hybridization analyses from ovariectomized and ovarian hormone-primed young and middle-aged females infused with VIP or saline. The percentage of GnRH and Kiss1 cells coexpressing cfos and total Kiss1 mRNA were reduced in saline-infused middle-aged compared with young females. In young females, VIP reduced the percentage of GnRH and Kiss1 cells coexpressing cfos, suggesting that increased VIP signaling in young females adversely affected the function of Kiss1 and GnRH neurons. In middle-aged females, VIP increased the percentage of GnRH but not Kiss1 neurons coexpressing cfos, suggesting VIP affects LH release in middle-aged females through kisspeptin-independent effects on GnRH neurons. Neither reproductive age nor VIP affected Rfrp cell number, Rfrp mRNA levels per cell, or coexpression of cfos in Rfrp cells. These data suggest that VIP differentially affects activation of GnRH and kisspeptin neurons of female rats in an age-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander S Kauffman
- Department of Reproductive Medicine (A.S.K., J.K., A.R.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California; Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Women's Health (Y.S., J.S., G.N.-P., Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; and Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience (G.N.-P.), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
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Pang KCH, Miller JP, Fortress A, McAuley JD. Age-related disruptions of circadian rhythm and memory in the senescence-accelerated mouse (SAMP8). AGE (DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS) 2006; 28:283-296. [PMID: 22253495 PMCID: PMC3259149 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-006-9013-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2005] [Revised: 07/05/2006] [Accepted: 08/10/2006] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Common complaints of the elderly involve impaired cognitive abilities, such as loss of memory and inability to attend. Although much research has been devoted to these cognitive impairments, other factors such as disrupted sleep patterns and increased daytime drowsiness may contribute indirectly to impaired cognitive abilities. Disrupted sleep-wake cycles may be the result of age-related changes to the internal (circadian) clock. In this article, we review recent research on aging and circadian rhythms with a focus on the senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM) as a model of aging. We explore some of the neurobiological mechanisms that appear to be responsible for our aging clock, and consider implications of this work for age-related changes in cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C. H. Pang
- Department of Psychology, J. P. Scott Center for Neuroscience, Mind, & Behavior, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403 USA
- Stress & Motivated Behavior Institute, NeuroBehavioral Research Laboratory, VA Medical Center, 385 Tremont Avenue, Mailstop 129, East Orange, NJ 07018 USA
| | - Jonathan P. Miller
- Department of Psychology, J. P. Scott Center for Neuroscience, Mind, & Behavior, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403 USA
| | - Ashley Fortress
- Department of Psychology, J. P. Scott Center for Neuroscience, Mind, & Behavior, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403 USA
| | - J. Devin McAuley
- Department of Psychology, J. P. Scott Center for Neuroscience, Mind, & Behavior, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403 USA
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Miller JP, McAuley JD, Pang KCH. Spontaneous fos expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of young and old mice. Neurobiol Aging 2004; 26:1107-15. [PMID: 15748791 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2004.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2003] [Revised: 08/26/2004] [Accepted: 08/27/2004] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The senescence-accelerated mouse (SAMP8) is an animal model of aging that displays an array of circadian rhythm disruptions as early as 7 months of age. The present study explored the physiological basis for age-related changes in circadian rhythms by measuring c-Fos immunostaining. Cellular activity in the SCN "core" and "shell" was examined for 2-, 7-, and 12-month-old SAMP8 at circadian times (CTs) 2 and 14. Consistent with previous studies in rats, we observed higher levels of cellular activity at CT2 than at CT14, and higher levels of activity in the "shell" than in the "core" of the SCN. However, there was no effect of age on the pattern of cellular activity in either the "core" or the "shell" of the SCN. These results are discussed in the context of current research on spontaneous and light-induced c-Fos expression in the SCN of rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan P Miller
- J.P. Scott Center for Neuroscience, Mind, and Behavior, Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA
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Van Reeth O, Weibel L, Olivares E, Maccari S, Mocaer E, Turek FW. Melatonin or a melatonin agonist corrects age-related changes in circadian response to environmental stimulus. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2001; 280:R1582-91. [PMID: 11294784 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.2001.280.5.r1582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The effects of a melatonin agonist, S-20098, included in the diet were tested on a specific effect of aging in hamsters: the marked decline in the phase shifting effects of a 6-h pulse of darkness on a background of constant light. In contrast to young hamsters, old hamsters fed with the control diet showed little or no phase shifts in response to a dark pulse presented in the middle of their inactive or active period. Old hamsters fed with S-20098 showed phase shifts that were ~70% of the ones in young animals and significantly greater than those in old controls. The phase advancing response to a dark pulse presented during the inactive period was dose dependent and reversed after S-20098 discontinuation. Melatonin included in the diet showed comparable restorative effects on the phase shifting response to a dark pulse in old hamsters. Replacement therapy with melatonin or melatonin-related compounds could prove useful in treating, preventing, or delaying disturbances of circadian rhythmicity and/or sleep in older people.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Van Reeth
- Centre d'Etudes des Rythmes Biologiques, School of Medicine, Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium.
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Aging alters the rhythmic expression of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide mRNA but not arginine vasopressin mRNA in the suprachiasmatic nuclei of female rats. J Neurosci 1998. [PMID: 9614250 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.18-12-04767.1998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Our laboratory has shown that the ability of the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) to regulate a number of rhythmic processes may be compromised by the time females reach middle age. Therefore, we examined the effects of aging on the rhythmic expression of two neuropeptides synthesized in the SCN, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and arginine vasopressin (AVP), using in situ hybridization. Because both VIP and AVP are outputs of the SCN, we hypothesized that age-related changes in rhythmicity are associated with alterations in the patterns of expression of these peptides. We found that VIP mRNA levels exhibited a 24 hr rhythm in young females, but by the time animals were middle-aged, this rhythm was gone. The attenuation of rhythmicity was associated with a decline in the level of mRNA per cell and in the number of cells in the SCN producing detectable VIP mRNA. AVP mRNA also showed a robust 24 hr rhythm in young females. However, in contrast to VIP, the AVP rhythm was not altered in the aging animals. The amount of mRNA per cell and the number of cells expressing AVP mRNA also was not affected with age. Based on these results we conclude that (1) various components of the SCN are differentially affected by aging; and (2) age-related changes in various rhythms may be attributable to changes in the ability of the SCN to transmit timing information to target sites. This may explain why the deterioration of various rhythmic processes occurs at different rates and at different times during the aging process.
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