Journal Article
Sporadic feeding regulates robust food entrainable circadian clocks in blind cavefish
Di Rosa, V., Frigato, E., Negrini, P., Cristiano, W., López-Olmeda, J.F., Rétaux, S., Sánchez-Vázquez, F.J., Foulkes, N.S., Bertolucci, C.
Record Number:
6442
Year:
2024
Journal:
Iscience
Pages:
yy
Volume:
xx
Abstract:
The circadian clock represents a key timing system entrained by various periodic signals that
ensure synchronization with the environment. Many investigations have pointed to the existence of
two distinct circadian oscillators: one regulated by the light-dark cycle and the other set by feeding
time. Blind cavefish have evolved under extreme conditions where they completely lack light
exposure and experience food deprivation. Here, we have investigated feeding regulated clocks in
two cavefish species, the Somalian cavefish Phreatichthys andruzzii and the Mexican cavefish
Astyanax mexicanus, in comparison with the surface-dwelling zebrafish Danio rerio. Our results
reveal that feeding represents an extremely strong synchronizer for circadian locomotor rhythmicity
in subterranean cavefish. Indeed, we showed that consuming just one meal every 4 days is sufficient
to entrain circadian rhythmicity in both cavefish species, but not in zebrafish. These profound
adaptations to an extreme environment provide insight into the connections between feeding and
circadian clocks.
Times Cited:
2