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Chapter category: Circadian Rhythms
Clock Gene Antisense RNA and Circadian Timing in Neurospora crassa
Chapter authors:
Susan K. Crosthwaite and Cas Kramer
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Eukaryotes regulate gene expression by a variety of mechanisms at both the transcriptional
and post-transcriptional level. An interesting form of control, which has not been
intensively studied, is the effect of antisense RNA. In the filamentous fungus Neurospora
crassa the frequency (frq) locus encodes central clock components. Both strands of the frq locus
are transcribed giving rise to sense and antisense RNA. Antisense frq transcripts appear to be
noncoding. Nevertheless, in antisense-defective strains of Neurospora resetting of the circadian
clock by light is altered.1 Following a brief introduction to antisense RNA and the Neurospora
circadian clock this chapter describes experimental approaches leading to the discovery of
antisense frq and its role in circadian timing. Examples of sense and antisense clock gene transcripts
in other eukaryotes and their possible effects on the circadian system are then described.
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