cGMP-dependent protein kinase I, the circadian clock, sleep, and learning

Feil, Robert; Hölter, Sabine M.; Weindl, Karin; Wurst, Wolfgang; Langmesser, Sonja; Gerling, Andrea; Feil, Susanne; Albrecht, Urs

doi:10.4161/cib.2.4.8220

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Journal article

cGMP-dependent protein kinase I, the circadian clock, sleep, and learning

Feil, Robert Interfakultäres Institut für Biochemie, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Hölter, Sabine M. Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg/Munich, Germany
Weindl, Karin Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg/Munich, Germany
Wurst, Wolfgang Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg/Munich, Germany
Langmesser, Sonja Division of Biochemistry, Department of Medicine, University of Fribourg, Switzerland
Gerling, Andrea Interfakultäres Institut für Biochemie, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Feil, Susanne Interfakultäres Institut für Biochemie, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Albrecht, Urs Division of Biochemistry, Department of Medicine, University of Fribourg, Switzerland

2009

Published in:

Communicative & Integrative Biology. - 2009, vol. 2, no. 4, p. 298 - 301

English The second messenger cGMP controls cardiovascular and gastrointestinal homeostasis in mammals. However, its physiological relevance in the nervous system is poorly understood. Now, we have reported that the cGMP-dependent protein kinase type I (PRKG1) is implicated in the regulation of the timing and quality of sleep and wakefulness. Prkg1 mutant mice showed altered distribution of sleep and wakefulness as well as reduction in rapid-eye-movement sleep (REMS) duration and in non-REMS consolidation. Furthermore, the ability to sustain waking episodes was compromised. These observations were also reflected in wheel-running and drinking activity. A decrease in electroencephalogram power in the delta frequency range (1–4 Hz) under baseline conditions was observed, which was normalized after sleep deprivation. Together with the finding that circadian clock amplitude is reduced in Prkg1 mutants these results indicate a decrease of the wake-promoting output of the circadian system affecting sleep. Because quality of sleep might affect learning we tested Prkg1 mutants in several learning tasks and find normal spatial learning but impaired object recognition memory in these animals. Our findings indicate that Prkg1 impinges on circadian rhythms, sleep and distinct aspects of learning.

Faculty

Faculté des sciences et de médecine

Department

Département de Biologie

Language