Circadian Rhythm of Serotonin Levels in Planarians

In the freshwater planarian Dugesia japonica, which belongs to the most primitive metazoan phylum, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) was detectable by both immunohistochemistry and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorometric detection. Immunohistochemical studies showed that serotonin was localized primarily in the cephalic ganglion (brain), in the main nerve cords extending posteriorly from the brain and in the commissure axons connecting the main nerve cords. HPLC with fluorometric detection analysis revealed that the serotonin levels of planarians maintained under a 12:12h light:dark cycle showed significant diurnal variations with a trough in the middle of the dark phase. In constant darkness, the serotonin levels fluctuated with a circadian rhythm. These results demonstrate the existence of a circadian timekeeping mechanism in the planarian.