Dbt, as an important kinase, plays a central role in both circadian rhythms and development [1]. It is involved in the regulation of sleep, which is subject to both circadian and homeostatic regulation [1].

In a study on Drosophila, several ethyl methanesulfonate-induced dbt mutants were investigated for their sleep patterns [1]. Using CRISPR-Cas9 to reduce DBT in all neurons expressing it led to elevated sleep during the day and reduced sleep at night [1]. Loss of sleep at night was due to dbt loss during the adult sleep/wake cycle, while increased daytime sleep was due to dbt reduction during development [1]. Targeted RNA interference showed that reduction of dbt in circadian neurons caused less sleep at night, and lower dbt expression in non-circadian neurons led to increased daytime sleep [1]. The PER protein was demonstrated to be involved in DBT-mediated sleep regulation, regardless of the type of neuron [1].

In conclusion, Dbt is a key kinase in regulating circadian rhythms and development, with a significant impact on sleep patterns. The studies on dbt mutants in Drosophila have revealed its role in sleep regulation, highlighting the importance of Dbt in maintaining normal sleep-wake cycles and providing insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of sleep regulation [1].