title: Circadian timing in health and disease.
abstract: Metabolic status varies predictably on a daily and seasonal basis in order to adapt to the cyclical environment. The hypothalamic circadian pacemaker of the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) co-ordinates these metabolic cycles. Circadian timing is based upon a transcriptional/post-translational negative feedback loop involving a series of core clock genes and their products. Local molecular clocks in peripheral tissues are synchronised by a variety of autonomic, paracrine and endocrine cues reflective of SCN time, thereby ensuring internal temporal co-ordination and optimal metabolic function. Disturbances of this co-ordination, as occur in long-term shift work, have a major impact on health.
authors.affiliation: MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hills Rd, Cambridge CB2 2QH, UK. mha@mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk
authors.forename: Elizabeth S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Maywood
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O'Neill
authors.forename: Gabriel K Y
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Akhilesh B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hastings
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001683:Biological Clocks / Q000235:genetics*; D056926:CLOCK Proteins; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015534:Trans-Activators; D056926:CLOCK Proteins; C538943:CLOCK protein, human