Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Understanding Circadian Rhythms through Transcription Factors



In most recent discoveries pertaining to the study of Circadian Rhythms and genetics, researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have found the secret to how cellular clocks are in time with different circadian phases during different times of days.

Sciencedaily.com states something very eyeopening in this article, "Most of us wake in the morning, sleep in the evening, and eat in between. Body temperature, metabolism, and hormone levels all fluctuate throughout the day, and it is increasingly clear that disruption of those cycles can lead to metabolic disease." By understanding these molecular clocks that are affected by DNA-binding proteins called transcription factors that control these oscillation factors that make the clock work, one can question the connection between different circadian peaks and how the clock keeps in time with other cycles.

Mitchell Lazar (MD, PHD), a Sylman Eisman Professor of Medicine, and his group of researchers have collected a survey of "genome-wide" circadian rhythm survey and enhancers (regulatory elements) that control the expression of genes. What Lazar's team did was use high-density DNA sequencing to measure activity of enhancers in mice (in their liver) and discovered that these enhancers also have a daily oscillation rate are grouped up in a way that is timed in sync with different transcription factors. Loss of a factor throws the system out of balance and thus causes metabolic disease. Out of balance circadian rhythms can also cause cancer as found in this article.

I found this article and subject matter most interesting because the research being done on circadian rhythm and synchronization that could lead to new ways to make more effective metabolic medicine is staggering. Through understanding these pathways and transcription peaks, medicine can be tailored to be taken at a certain time of day as Lazar says with also the possibility to reduce unwanted side effects. Overall, metabolic drug treatment will be revolutionized by these important discoveries.
Original Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141120123019.htm
Supporting Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/06/140624110714.htm


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