In mammals, a master circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus synchronizes metabolism, cardiac output, alertness, and sleep state with the daily light/dark cycle. Chronic desynchronization of the circadian clock is a significant contributor to metabolic diseases, as well as sleep and mood disorders. Even temporary desynchronization of the clock with the natural day:night cycle, such as in jet lag or shift work syndrome, is a leading cause of productivity loss and accidental injury or death. Thus, a firm understanding of circadian clock function that leads to treatment of related disorders will lead to health and economic benefits of the society. Synchrony of the clock with the external environment is largely governed by exposure to light received by the eye. However, the precise mechanism by which light entrains the circadian oscillator is not known. An intriguing feature of circadian light entrainment is its resistance to several physiological conditions and mutations that usually causes blindness. This suggested novel photopigment, signaling property and chromophore use may be involved. Recently, a new opsin-like photopigment, melanopsin, was found in the inner retina and has been established as a dominant mediator of light input to the circadian clock. Experiments proposed in this project are to understand some key aspects of melanopsin's photosensitivity. Specifically, we want to understand the spectral and photochemical properties of melanopsin and how its interaction with arrestin modulates such function. We have developed heterologous expression systems for the measurement of melanopsin photosensitivity in living cells and for high level expression of the opsin for biochemical analysis. Using both cellular and biochemical assays we will (a) determine whether melanopsin photopigment exists in two distinct spectrally active and photoreversible states, (b) whether melanopsin has an intrinsic photoisomerase activity to regenerate its own chromophore and (c) how interaction with arrestin determines its photochemical properties. Successful completion of these aims will identify key functional features of melanopsin phototransduction, elucidate the underlying mechanism, and provide potential entry points for therapeutic intervention in circadian disorders.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY016807-04
Application #
7809477
Study Section
Biology and Diseases of the Posterior Eye Study Section (BDPE)
Program Officer
Mariani, Andrew P
Project Start
2007-05-01
Project End
2011-04-30
Budget Start
2010-05-01
Budget End
2011-04-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$473,963
Indirect Cost
Name
Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Department
Type
DUNS #
078731668
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92037
Manoogian, Emily N C; Panda, Satchidananda (2017) Circadian rhythms, time-restricted feeding, and healthy aging. Ageing Res Rev 39:59-67
Longo, Valter D; Panda, Satchidananda (2016) Fasting, Circadian Rhythms, and Time-Restricted Feeding in Healthy Lifespan. Cell Metab 23:1048-1059
Manoogian, Emily N C; Panda, Satchidananda (2016) Circadian clock, nutrient quality, and eating pattern tune diurnal rhythms in the mitochondrial proteome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 113:3127-9
Chaix, Amandine; Zarrinpar, Amir; Panda, Satchidananda (2016) The circadian coordination of cell biology. J Cell Biol 215:15-25
Chaix, Amandine; Panda, Satchidananda (2016) Ketone Bodies Signal Opportunistic Food-Seeking Activity. Trends Endocrinol Metab 27:350-352
Panda, Satchidananda (2016) Circadian physiology of metabolism. Science 354:1008-1015
Mure, Ludovic S; Hatori, Megumi; Zhu, Quansheng et al. (2016) Melanopsin-Encoded Response Properties of Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells. Neuron 90:1016-27
Gill, Shubhroz; Le, Hiep D; Melkani, Girish C et al. (2015) Time-restricted feeding attenuates age-related cardiac decline in Drosophila. Science 347:1265-9
Gill, Shubhroz; Panda, Satchidananda (2015) A Smartphone App Reveals Erratic Diurnal Eating Patterns in Humans that Can Be Modulated for Health Benefits. Cell Metab 22:789-98
Chaix, Amandine; Zarrinpar, Amir; Miu, Phuong et al. (2014) Time-restricted feeding is a preventative and therapeutic intervention against diverse nutritional challenges. Cell Metab 20:991-1005

Showing the most recent 10 out of 30 publications