Molecular Analysis of Light-signaling and Circadian Rhythm in theBrain

在这项研究中，我们旨在分子水平上了解动物的光接收系统。特别是，我们提出了三个项目：1)阐明松果体和视网膜之间独特的光感受器功能的基因网络，2)阐明昼夜节律时钟的调节机制，3)视网膜感光细胞的光响应特性的表征。我们研究的主要成果是：1)识别控制松果体特异基因表达的转录因子，2)鉴定多种调节时钟相位的蛋白质并阐明相移的潜在机制，3)澄清提供视网膜视杆和视锥细胞之间感光特性差异的机制。

In this study, we aimed at molecular level understanding of the photoreception systems in animals. Particularly we raised three projects: 1) Elucidation of unique gene networks that specify photoreceptor functions between the pineal gland and the retina, 2) Elucidation of the regulatory mechanisms for circadian clock phase, 3) Characterization of light-response properties in photoreceptive cells in the retina. The major outputs from our studies are: 1) Identification of transcription factors that govern the pineal specific gene expression, 2) Identification of multiple proteins regulating the clock phase and elucidation of the underlying mechanisms for the phase-shift, 3) Clarification of a mechanism that provides a difference of photoreceptive properties between retinal rods and cones.