Circadian Genes, Rhythms and the Biology of Mood Disorders

Circadian Genes, Rhythms and the Biology of Mood Disorders: "The molecular clock
The primary molecular clock is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus, and consists of a transcriptional feedback loop which cycles over the course of approximately twenty-four hours in the absence of environmental input (Reppert and Weaver, 2001; Ko and Takahashi, 2006). The major transcriptional activator consists of a dimer between the Circadian Locomotor Output Cycles Kaput Protein (CLOCK) and Brain and Muscle ARNT-like Protein 1 (BMAL1, also known as ARNTL or MOP3). This complex binds to E-box sequences in the promoters of"
 genes including the Period (Per) and Cryptochrome (Cry) genes. The PER and CRY proteins are translated in the cytoplasm, and are phosphorylated by Casein Kinase I ε and δ (CK1) and Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β (GSK3β)
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