SRP54 mediates circadian rhythm-related, temperature-dependent gene expression in Drosophila

Recent studies have shown that alternative splicing (AS) plays an important role in regulating circadian rhythm. However, it is not clear whether clock neuron-specific AS is circadian rhythm dependent and what genetic and environmental factors mediate the circadian control of AS. By genome-wide RNA sequencing, we identified SRP54 is one of the Clock (Clk) dependent alternative splicing factors. Genetic interaction between Clock and SRP54 alleles showed that the enhancement of the circadian phenotype increased with temperature, being strongest at 29 degrees C and weakest at 18 degrees C. The alternative splicing and differential gene expression profile of Clock and SRP54 overlapped with the circadian-related gene profiles identified in various genome-wide studies, indicating that SRP54 is involved in circadian rhythm. By analyzing of the RNA-seq results at different temperatures, we found the roles of Clock and SRP54 are temperature dependent. We also found multiple novel temperature-dependent transcripts not documented in current databases.

Automated summary

Recent studies have found that alternative splicing plays a crucial role in regulating circadian rhythm, and clock neuron-specific alternative splicing is associated with circadian rhythm. Through genome-wide RNA sequencing, SRP54 was identified as one of the Clock-dependent alternative splicing factors, and its function is temperature-dependent.