PER-TIM Interactions in Living Drosophila Cells: An Interval Timer for the Circadian Clock

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1118126
• Publication Date: 2006-01-12T22:53:08Z
• Authors: Pablo Meyer; Lino Saez; Michael W. Young
• Keywords: Live cell imaging; Timer

In contrast to current models, fluorescence resonance energy transfer measurements using a single-cell imaging assay with fluorescent forms of PER and TIM showed that these proteins bind rapidly persist in the cytoplasm while gradually accumulating discrete foci. After approximately 6 hours, complexes abruptly dissociated, as independently moved nucleus narrow time frame. The per(L) mutation delayed nuclear accumulation vivo our cultured cell system, but without affecting rates PER/TIM assembly or dissociation. This finding points previously unrecognized form temporal regulation underlies periodicity circadian clock.