Olfaction rhythms

The relationship between central and peripheral oscillators is different in flies and mammals. In mammals, these oscillators form a hierarchy in which the central oscillator, which resides in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), functions as a master clock that is entrained by photic signals from the eye, and in turn drives subservient peripheral oscillators via humoral signals (Moore et al 1995, Yamazaki et al 2000, Kramer et al 2001, Cheng et al 2002). In contrast, both central and peripheral oscillators operate autonomously and are directly entrainable by light in Drosophila (Plautz et al 1997), thus obviating the need for a hierarchical system. Our results support the concept of independent oscillators in flies since central (sUN ) oscillators are not necessary for olfaction rhythms and local oscillators in antennae appear to be sufficient. 

Kosbash He has talked to me about this, and they have just completed an Affymetrix gene array experiment with Gonjaulax, and there is lots of circadian transcriptional regulation. I presume that they concentrated on translation all these years because that is where their original work led them. Paul Hardin, is there enough known for you to use a driver in a neuron which deals with another odorant to show that the rhythms are relevant for olfaction ... 

Vosshall L. B. and Young M. W. (1995) Circadian rhythms in Drosophila can be driven by period expression in a restricted group of central brain cells. Neuron 15, 345-360. WarrC. G., Clyne P. J., de BruyneM., Kim J., Carlson J. R. (2001) Olfaction in Drosophila coding, genetics and e-genetics. Chem. Senses 26, 201-206. 

---