Enlightening the adrenal gland.
The secretion of glucocorticoid hormones is tightly regulated by the circadian clock and by negative humoral feedback loops, both acting on the hypothalamic-pituitary gland-adrenal axis. However, a new study Ishida et al., 2005 [this issue of Cell Metabolism) shows that light can influence the adrenal's glucocorticoid output by a more direct pathway.
Schibler
Ueli
U
Department of Molecular Biology and NCCR Frontiers of Genetics, Sciences III, University of Geneva, 30, Quai Ernest Ansermet, CH-1211, Geneva-4, Switzerland.
Brown
Steven A
SA
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000294:innervation / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D000818:Animals; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D056950:Period Circadian Proteins; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000528:radiation effects; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C539022:PER1 protein, human; D056950:Period Circadian Proteins; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone