# Mechanisms of GABAergic Signaling in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Network

> **NIH NIH R01** · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $480,224

## Abstract

Summary
A significant number of Americans work non-traditional schedules and suffer the adverse health effects of a
disrupted circadian timing system. The master mammalian circadian clock, located in the suprachiasmatic
nucleus (SCN) maintains the proper phase relationship between circadian clocks located in tissues throughout
the body and entrains the circadian system to the environment. The SCN is composed of individual neuronal
oscillators coupled by intercellular communication into a neural network that generates a robust and precise
rhythm. The long-term goal of our research is to understand the intercellular signaling mechanisms that couple
SCN neurons into a neural network that generates circadian rhythms. GABAergic neurotransmission is a
fundamental component of the SCN neural network and changing the strength and polarity of postsynaptic
GABA responses modifies the activity of the SCN, and ultimately circadian rhythmicity. GABA serves as a
desynchronizing signal under equilibrium conditions and a synchronizing signal when the SCN neural network
has been modified by environmental light. GABA acts on synaptic GABA(A) receptors to mediate fast signaling
between SCN neurons and on extrasynaptic GABA(A) receptors to activate a tonic GABA(A) current that
modulates the activity of individual SCN neurons and communicates the level of network activity to adjacent
synapses. We hypothesize that two membrane transporter families play critical roles in the regulation of the
circadian activity of GABA neurotransmission in the SCN. The GABA transporters GAT-1 and GAT-3 regulate
the amount and duration of neurotransmitter GABA in the extrasynaptic space and the magnitude of the tonic
current. In the SCN, the GABA transporters are only expressed in astrocytes suggesting that astrocytes play a
vital, but as of yet undetermined role in regulating the physiological actions of GABA in the SCN network. In the
adult SCN, GABA serves as both an inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitter although the physiological
significance of this change in the polarity of GABA neurotransmission remains unknown. The chloride
cotransporters of the sodium-potassium-chloride (NKCC) and potassium-chloride (KCC) families control the
intracellular Cl- concentration and the polarity and magnitude of the GABA(A) receptor-mediated currents. We
propose that the circadian clock uses the intracellular second messenger systems WNK-SPAK kinases, Ca2+-
activated kinases, and cyclic AMP-activated kinases to regulate the activity of the Cl- transporters. The goal of
this application is to understand better the mechanisms regulating GABAergic signaling and how GABA-
mediated signaling contributes to the generation of circadian timing signals in the SCN. To accomplish this
goal, we will use single cell electrophysiological and imaging techniques together with transgenic mouse
models to study GABAergic neurotransmission in identified SCN neurons. Enhanced knowledge of the
intercellular signalin...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10134451
- **Project number:** 5R01NS103842-04
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Charles N Allen
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $480,224
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-01 → 2022-09-21

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10134451

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10134451, Mechanisms of GABAergic Signaling in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Network (5R01NS103842-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10134451. Licensed CC0.

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