SOX2-Dependent Transcription in Clock Neurons Promotes the Robustness of the Central Circadian Pacemaker (Cell Reports)

SOX2 is a stem-cell-associated pluripotency transcription factor whose role in neuronal populations is undefined. Cheng et al. show that ablating SOX2 expression in SCN clock neurons severely disrupts circadian behavioral rhythms. SOX2 is a transcriptional activator of the Period2 gene, and its absence reduces neuropeptide signaling in the SCN.