The daily timing of gene expression and physiology in mammals.
Mammalian behavior and physiology undergo daily rhythms that are coordinated by an endogenous circadian timing system. This system has a hierarchical structure, in that a master pacemaker, residing in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the ventral hypothalamus, synchronizes peripheral oscillators in virtually all body cells. While the basic molecular mechanisms generating the daily rhythms are similar in all cells, most clock outputs are cell-specific. This conclusion is based on genome-wide transcriptome profiling studies in several tissues that have revealed hundreds of rhythmically expressed genes. Cyclic gene expression in the various organs governs overt rhythms in behavior and physiology, encompassing sleep-wake cycles, metabolism, xenobiotic detoxification, and cellular proliferation. As a consequence, chronic perturbation of this temporal organization may lead to increased morbidity and reduced lifespan.
Schibler
Ueli
U
Department of Molecular Biology and National Center of Competence in Research "Frontiers in Genetics" Sciences III, University of Geneva, Switzerland. Ueli.Schibler@molbio.unige.ch
D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals / Q000502:physiology*; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000502:physiology