Stopping the circadian pacemaker with inhibitors of protein synthesis

The hypothesis that the biological clock is based on proteins and the events regulating protein synthesis was investigated. The study protocol involved the treatment of the ocular circadian pacemaker of the the mollusc Bulla gouldiana with the protein synthesis inhibitors anisomycin and cycloheximide. The results showed that the free-running period of the circadianrhythm was significantly lenghtened. Furthermore, long pulse treatments of various lengths affected the rhythm in a phase-dependent manner. These results indicate a role for protein synthesis in the regulation of the circadian pacemaker.