Discovery of circadian rhythm gene in mice could lead to breakthroughs

(Virginia Tech) In a new study published in the journal Genes & Development, Shihoko Kojima and her team has identified a novel gene, Per2AS, that controls the sleep/wake cycle in mice. Per2AS appears to be a new type of gene, known as a non-coding gene. Unlike most other genes, Per2AS is not translated from RNA into a subsequent protein, thus making its function unclear until now.