PERspective on PER phosphorylation

Justin Blau1

Department of Biology, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA

Abstract

Period (PER) proteins are essential parts of the molecular clocks that control circadian rhythms in flies and mammals. Phosphorylation regulates PER’s stability and subcellular localization; however, the physiologically relevant sites have been difficult to identify in spite of knowing the relevant kinase. In this issue of Genes & Development, Chiu and colleagues (1758–1772) identify a key phosphorylation site on PER that recruits the F-box protein Slimb to trigger PER degradation and set clock speed.

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