Fig. 5: NEK4 overexpression disrupted circadian fluctuations in synaptogenesis in the dorsal hippocampus CA1 area of mice.

The number of synapses in NEK4 OE mice and the control mice during day and night were compared to assess the effects of NEK4 on synaptogenesis. A synapse was characterized based on the presence of the pre-protrusion (containing vesicles), synaptic cleft, and postsynaptic (PSD region) structures. The number of synapses in electron microscope images covering a same area was calculated and analyzed, and scale bars represent 2 μm. A Representative images of synaptic structures acquired by electron microscope. B The numbers of synapses in the CA1 region of dorsal hippocampus of the mice. Synapses during the day compared with the night in control group (P = 0.0022, df = 36, t = 3.301). Synapses during the day compared with the night in NEK4 OE group (P < 0.0001, df = 37, t = 5.187). Synapses of the control group compared with NEK4 OE group (Day: P < 0.0001, df = 36, t = 4.928; night: P = 0.0013, df = 37, t = 3.481). N = 19 images were analyzed in the daytime control group, n = 19 images were analyzed in the night control group, n = 19 images were analyzed in the daytime NEK4 OE group, n = 20 images were analyzed in the night NEK4 OE group. All data were shown as mean ± SD, the two-sided student’s t test was used to perform the significance test. *P ≤ 0.05, **P ≤ 0.01, ***P ≤ 0.001, ****P < 0.0001. Shadows represent data at night. Source data are provided as a Source data file.