Reciprocal regulation between TOC1 and LHY/CCA1 within the Arabidopsis circadian clock.

The interactive regulation between clock genes is central for oscillator function. Here, we show interactions between the Arabidopsis clock genes LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL (LHY), CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED 1 (CCA1), and TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION 1 (TOC1). The MYB transcription factors LHY and CCA1 negatively regulate TOC1 expression. We show that both proteins bind to a region in the TOC1 promoter that is critical for its clock regulation. Conversely, TOC1 appears to participate in the positive regulation of LHY and CCA1 expression. Our results indicate that these interactions form a loop critical for clock function in Arabidopsis.