PERIOD phosphorylation leads to feedback inhibition of CK1 activity to control circadian period

PERIOD (PER) and Casein Kinase 18 regulate circadian rhythms through a phosphoswitch that controls PER stability and repressive activity in the molecular clock. CK18 phosphorylation of the familial advanced sleep phase (FASP) serine cluster embedded within the Casein Kinase 1 binding domain (CK1BD) of mammalian PER1/2 inhibits its activity on phosphodegrons to stabilize PER and extend circadian period. Here, we show that the phosphorylated FASP region (pFASP) of PER2 directly interacts with and inhibits CK18. Co -crystal structures in conjunction with molecular dynamics simulations reveal how pFASP phosphoserines dock into conserved anion binding sites near the active site of CK18. Limiting phosphorylation of the FASP serine cluster reduces product inhibition, decreasing PER2 stability and shortening circadian period in human cells. We found that Drosophila PER also regulates CK18 via feedback inhibition through the phos-phorylated PER-Short domain, revealing a conserved mechanism by which PER phosphorylation near the CK1BD regulates CK1 kinase activity.

Automated summary

The PERIOD (PER) and Casein Kinase 18 play a crucial role in regulating circadian rhythms by controlling PER stability and repressive activity. Phosphorylation of the FASP serine cluster in PER1/2 by CK18 inhibits its activity, stabilizes PER, and extends the circadian period. The study also reveals a conserved feedback inhibition mechanism between Drosophila PER and CK18.