From circadian clock gene expression to pathologies

Effect of sleep deprivation on rhythms of clock gene expression and melatonin in humans

“…There is mounting evidence that long-term sleep deprivation has a severe impact on health and enhances vulnerability to both, infectious diseases and pathologies such as diabetes, obesity, or cancer (Lamont et al, 2007;Logan & Sarkar, 2012;Mullington et al, 2010). Restricted sleep has been shown to significantly phase-delay the melatonin rhythm in humans, independent of bedtime (Burgess & Eastman, 2004;Burgess & Eastman, 2006).…”

“…The acute impact of sleep deprivation on the circadian system, however, has not been fully elucidated in humans. As the circadian system controls most aspects of our daily lives, including cyclic changes in physiology, behaviour, and metabolism (Hastings et al, 2003;Mohawk et al, 2012), profiling of the central and peripheral clocks during sleep deprivation will be key to understanding the molecular basis of how these pathologies develop (Hastings et al, 2003;Kyriacou & Hastings, 2010;Lamont et al, 2007;Logan & Sarkar, 2012).…”

Circadian gene expression in peripheral blood leukocytes of rotating night shift nurses

“…The circadian system of the organism acts independently of external cues, but it can adapt to environmental conditions, such as light, temperature, meals/feeding etc. The circadian clock in the SCN is synchronized to external cues, and it coordinates the peripheral clock by sending signals to peripheral tissues (1). The molecular mechanism of the self-sustained circadian system of the organism involves circadian genes.…”

Attenuation of myocardial injury in mice with functional deletion of the circadian rhythm gene mPer2

“…However, all of these genes function essentially as reciprocally controlling transcription factors, and in many cases the expression of these genes is monitored by the modulation of many "noncircadian" proteins as readouts. Enzymes regulating cardiac metabolism (57), reactivity of vascular endothelial cells (22,50,54), modulation of inflammatory responses (3,27,33,34,44), bone marrow progenitor cell release (2), and apoptosis (25) all have circadian gene components of control, and all are associated with the myocardial response to coronary artery occlusion. However, the specific relationship between a circadian gene and the inflammatory response and injury associated with early MI has not been determined.…”