Continuous dynamic adjustment of the plant circadian oscillator.

Abstract

The clockwork of plant circadian oscillators has been resolved through investigations in Arabidopsis thaliana. The circadian oscillator is an important regulator of much of plant physiology, though many of the mechanisms are unclear. New findings demonstrate that the oscillator adjusts phase and period in response to abiotic and biotic signals, providing insight in to how the plant circadian oscillator integrates with the biology of the cell and entrains to light, dark and temperature cycles. We propose that the plant circadian oscillator is dynamically plastic, in constant adjustment, rather than being an isolated clock impervious to cellular events.