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PACAP in the Circadian Timing System: Learning from Knockout Models

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Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Polypeptide — PACAP

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Neurotoxicity ((Current Topics Neurotoxicity,volume 11))

Abstract

Glutamate and PACAP are neurotransmitters of the retinohypothalamic tract (RHT). This retinofugal pathway originates from melanopsin expressing intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) innervating areas in the brain which regulate the circadian timing system and areas involved in non-image forming photoperception (e.g., negative masking, pupillary light reflex). The major target is the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which generates circadian rhythms in behavior and physiology. The SCN is daily entrained to the light–dark cycle due to the release of glutamate and PACAP and activation of NMDA and the PACAP specific (PAC1) receptor on SCN neurons. The chapter briefly reviews in vitro and in vivo experiments and compares these data with physiology and gene expression data obtained from mice lacking PACAP, PAC1 receptor or glutamate signaling (VGLUT2-deficient mice). Together, the data provides evidence for PACAP being a neurotransmitter in the RHT acting together with glutamate regulating light entrainment, masking behavior, and the pupillary light reflex.

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Acknowledgements

The Danish Biotechnology Center for Cellular Communication supported this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, Copenhagen, NV, 2400, Denmark

    Jens Hannibal

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  1. Jens Hannibal
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Correspondence to Jens Hannibal .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy MTA-PTE “Lendulet” PACAP Research Team, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary

    Dora Reglodi

  2. Department of Anatomy MTA-PTE “Lendulet” PACAP Research Team, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary

    Andrea Tamas

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Hannibal, J. (2016). PACAP in the Circadian Timing System: Learning from Knockout Models. In: Reglodi, D., Tamas, A. (eds) Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Polypeptide — PACAP. Current Topics in Neurotoxicity, vol 11. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-35135-3_14

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