Gpr19 is a circadian clock-controlled orphan GPCR with a role in modulating free-running period and light resetting capacity of the circadian clock

Background: and Purpose : Gpr19 encodes an evolutionarily conserved orphan G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) with no established physiological function in vivo. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of Gpr19 in the circadian clock system. Experimental Approach : We examined whether and how the master circadian clock neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) express Gpr19 . By analysing Gpr19 -deficient ( Gpr19 −/− ) mice, we asked whether Gpr19 has a role in modulating free-running period and light resetting capacity of the circadian clock. Key Results : Compared with the known common core clock genes, Gpr19 was identified to show several distinct yet limited features related to the circadian clock. Gpr19 mRNA was mainly expressed in the middle-to-dorsal region of the SCN. A conserved cAMP-responsive element within the Gpr19 promoter drove the circadian expression of Gpr19 . Gpr19 −/− mice exhibited a prolonged circadian period and a delayed initiation of daily locomotor activity in a 12-h light/12-h dark cycle. Gpr19 deficiency caused the downregulation of several genes that normally peak during the night, including Bmal1 and Gpr176 . Gpr19 −/− mice had a reduced capacity for phase shift to early subjective night light. The defect was only observed for phase-delay, but not phase-advance, and accompanied by reduced response of c-Fos expression in the dorsal region of the SCN, while apparently normal in the ventral part of the SCN, in Gpr19 −/− mice. Conclusion: and Implications : Gpr19 is an SCN-enriched orphan GPCR with a distinct role in circadian regulation and thus may be a potential target for alleviating circadian clock disorders.