[Biology and genetics of circadian rhythm].
In recent decades our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of biological clocks has grown expontentially. This has helped to guide the choice of genes studied to explain inter-individual variations seen in circadian rhythms. In recent years analysis of circadian rhythms has advanced considerably into the study of pathological circadian rhythms in human beings. These findings, combined with those obtained from studying mice whose circadian genes have been rendered incapable, have revealed the role of genetic factors in circadian rhythms. This literature review presents an overview of these findings. Beyond our understanding of the functioning of these biological clocks, this knowledge will be extremely useful to analyse genetic factors involved in morbid conditions involving circadian rhythm abnormalities.
Bellivier
F
F
Pôle de Psychiatrie, CHU de Créteil, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Université Paris 12. rank.bellivier@inserm.fr
D056930:ARNTL Transcription Factors; D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D001683:Biological Clocks / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D056926:CLOCK Proteins; D021081:Chronobiology Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000503:physiopathology; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics
D056930:ARNTL Transcription Factors; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D056926:CLOCK Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; C538960:BMAL1 protein, human; C486615:BMAL2 protein, human; C538961:Bmal1 protein, mouse; C104264:NPAS2 protein, human; C538943:CLOCK protein, human; C538944:Clock protein, mouse