Circadian mutant Overtime reveals F-box protein FBXL3 regulation of cryptochrome and period gene expression

Cell. 2007 Jun 1;129(5):1011-23. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2007.04.030. Epub 2007 Apr 26.

Abstract

Using a forward genetics ENU mutagenesis screen for recessive mutations that affect circadian rhythmicity in the mouse, we isolated a long period (approximately 26 hr) circadian mutant named Overtime (Ovtm). Positional cloning and genetic complementation reveal that Ovtm is encoded by the F-box protein FBXL3, a component of the SKP1-CUL1-F-box-protein (SCF) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. The Ovtm mutation causes an isoleucine to threonine (I364T) substitution leading to a loss of function in FBXL3, which interacts specifically with the CRYPTOCHROME (CRY) proteins. In Ovtm mice, expression of the PERIOD proteins PER1 and PER2 is reduced; however, the CRY proteins CRY1 and CRY2 are unchanged. The loss of FBXL3 function leads to a stabilization of the CRY proteins, which in turn leads to a global transcriptional repression of the Per and Cry genes. Thus, Fbxl3(Ovtm) defines a molecular link between CRY turnover and CLOCK/BMAL1-dependent circadian transcription to modulate circadian period.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Animals
  • Biological Clocks
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics*
  • Circadian Rhythm*
  • Cryptochromes
  • F-Box Proteins / genetics*
  • Female
  • Flavoproteins / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutagenesis
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Period Circadian Proteins
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • CRY1 protein, human
  • CRY2 protein, human
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cry1 protein, mouse
  • Cry2 protein, mouse
  • Cryptochromes
  • F-Box Proteins
  • Fbxl3 protein, mouse
  • Flavoproteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • PER1 protein, human
  • Per1 protein, mouse
  • Per2 protein, mouse
  • Period Circadian Proteins
  • Transcription Factors