Abstract
Disruption of overt circadian rhythms can occur without influencing the endogenous pacemaker, the so-called 'masking' effect classically elicited by light. As the physiological pathways involved in light masking remain elusive, we analyzed mice lacking the dopamine D2 receptor. Although circadian rhythmicity was normal, D2R-null mice showed a markedly deficient light masking response, indicating that D2R-mediated signaling is an essential component of the neuronal pathways leading to light masking of circadian rhythms.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Arylalkylamine N-Acetyltransferase / metabolism
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Brain / metabolism*
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Brain / radiation effects
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Brain Chemistry / genetics
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Brain Chemistry / radiation effects
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Circadian Rhythm / genetics*
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Circadian Rhythm / radiation effects
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Dopamine / metabolism*
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Light*
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Melatonin / biosynthesis
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Mice
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Mice, Knockout
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Motor Activity / genetics
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Motor Activity / radiation effects
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Photic Stimulation
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Pineal Gland / enzymology
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Pineal Gland / radiation effects
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Receptors, Dopamine D2 / genetics*
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Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / physiology
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Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / radiation effects
Substances
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Receptors, Dopamine D2
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Arylalkylamine N-Acetyltransferase
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Melatonin
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Dopamine