Circadian Rhythms of Temperature Entrainment in <i>Nematostella vectensis</i>
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Date
2013-11-04
Authors
James, Melissa Rebecca
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Abstract
We have been investigating the circadian system of the sea anemone, <i>Nematostella vectensis</i> to determine if temperature can act as a temporal cue to the circadian clock. The animals’ locomotor activity was initially synchronized to a 24hr photoperiod, and subsequently exposed to a temperature cycle (22:32 degrees C). We have found that temperature can be effective in synchronizing the circadian clock in <i>N. vectensis</i> and that the animals are more active in the cooler temperatures. In addition to the behavioral analysis, we have recently identified a temperature sensitive protein, hyperoxidized peroxiredoxin, which regulates peroxidase levels and oscillates with temperature in erythrocytes. Our preliminary results suggest that this protein expression could oscillate in expression with temperature cycles in <i>N. vectensis</i>. We plan to identify components of the temperature entrainment pathway that provide input to the molecular clock. This will offer insight into the circadian system of Cnidarians and circadian clock evolution.
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Keywords
Nematostella vectensis, peroxiredoxin, circadian rhythms, temperature