The circadian system of Drosophila melanogaster and its light input pathways

Author: Helfrich-Förster C.

Source: Zoology, Volume 105, Number 4, December 2002 , pp. 297-312(16)

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Abstract:

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has been a grateful object for circadian rhythm researchers over several decades. Behavioral, genetic, and molecular studies in the little fly have aided in understanding the bases of circadian time keeping and rhythmic behaviors not only in Drosophila, but also in other organisms, including mammals. This review summarizes our present knowledge about the fruit fly's circadian system at the molecular and neurobiological level, with special emphasis on its entrainment by environmental light-dark cycles. The results obtained for Drosophila are discussed with respect to parallel findings in mammals.

Keywords: insects; circadian clock; neurogenetics; rhythm generation; Drosophila

Language: English

Document Type: Miscellaneous

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1078/0944-2006-00074

Affiliations: 1: Institut für Zoologie, Universität Regensburg, Germany

Publication date: 2002-12-01