Light-induced phase shifting of the circadian conidiation rhythm is inhibited by calmodulin antagonists in Neurospora crassa.

The effects of calmodulin antagonists and inhibitors of protein kinases and phosphatases on light-induced phase shifting were investigated in Neurospora crassa. Calmodulin antagonists, namely, trifluoperazine, chlorpromazine, and W-7, almost completely inhibited the light-induced phase shifting without having any effect on the circadian clock itself. Chlorpromazine was less effective in inhibiting the light-induced phase shifting than trifluoperazine. W-5, a dechlorinated analogue of W-7, failed to inhibit the light-induced phase shifting at the same concentration as that at which W-7 was effective. These results suggest that calmodulin is required during signal transduction from the light-perceiving system to the circadian clock in N. crassa. Inhibitors of protein phosphorylation did not inhibit the light-induced phase shifting, although these inhibitors completely inhibited mycelial growth. Trifluoperazine partially inhibited the phosphorylation of three proteins when phosphorylation was assayed in vitro.