Article
Behavioral Sciences
Max de Leeuw, Sanne I. Verhoeve, Nic J. A. van der Wee, Albert M. van Hemert, Erno Vreugdenhil, Claudia P. Coomans
Summary: Circadian rhythms are closely related to depression, and disruption of circadian rhythms may contribute to the development of depression. A better understanding of the connection between disturbed circadian rhythms and the etiology of depression could lead to novel therapeutic and preventative strategies.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Review
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Hannah M. Costello, Michelle L. Gumz
Summary: The molecular circadian clock is crucial in blood pressure control, with central and peripheral clocks playing a key role. Dysregulation of the circadian rhythm of blood pressure is associated with adverse cardiorenal outcomes and increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. Understanding peripheral clock function in regulating the circadian rhythm of blood pressure will pave the way for targeted therapeutics in circadian blood pressure dysregulation and hypertension.
Review
Cell Biology
Victoria M. Alvord, Elizabeth J. Kantra, Julie S. Pendergast
Summary: Circadian rhythms are 24-hour cycles of behavior and physiology generated by molecular clocks in various tissues. The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) serves as the main circadian clock in mammals, receiving light information and coordinating tissue clocks. Estrogens play a role in regulating biological processes and behavior by interacting with circadian genes. This review focuses on the interplay between estrogens and the circadian system in female rodents, summarizing current understanding of their effects.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Takashi Maejima, Yusuke Tsuno, Shota Miyazaki, Yousuke Tsuneoka, Emi Hasegawa, Md Tarikul Islam, Ryosuke Enoki, Takahiro J. Nakamura, Michihiro Mieda
Summary: The study found that specific deletion of vesicular GABA transporter in AVP neurons led to significant impairment of circadian rhythm and disruption of GABA-mediated synaptic transmission in SCN neurons. While molecular circadian oscillations among SCN neurons did not significantly change, there were significant alterations in the phase relationships between molecular clocks and circadian behavioral activities.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Arthur H. Cheng, Samuel W. Fung, Sara Hegazi, Osama Hasan Mustafa Hasan Abdalla, Hai-Ying Mary Cheng
Summary: The hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) functions as the central circadian pacemaker, and the transcription factor Sox2 plays a crucial role in controlling the expression of circadian neuropeptides and transcription factors in the embryonic SCN. Sox2 deficiency leads to reduced survival of SCN neurons during the postnatal period, but does not affect progenitor cell proliferation or SCN specification.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yi Qin, Zhong-hua Chen, Jun-Jie Wu, Zhen-Yu Zhang, Zheng-Dong Yuan, Dan-Yang Guo, Meng-Nan Chen, Xia Li, Feng-Lai Yuan
Summary: The circadian clock plays a crucial role in regulating bone metabolism, including bone loss. Clock-related genes control signaling pathways and transcription factors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, while also regulating osteocytes and endothelial cells. Furthermore, the regulation of circadian clock genes by novel modulators presents a potential strategy for preventing and treating bone diseases.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Elizabeth A. Schroder, Makoto Ono, Sidney R. Johnson, Ezekiel R. Rozmus, Don E. Burgess, Karyn A. Esser, Brian P. Delisle
Summary: This article focuses on the impact of circadian rhythms, environmental and behavioral changes on 24-hour rhythms in heart rate and ventricular repolarization. The circadian clock in cardiomyocytes regulates the expression of cardiac ion channels, influences the sinoatrial node excitability and the duration of the ventricular action potential waveform. However, autonomic signaling primarily drives the 24-hour rhythms. Changing rhythmic behaviors can significantly affect heart rate and ventricular repolarization. Targeting endogenous circadian mechanisms and modifying rhythmic behaviors may emerge as therapeutic strategies for regulating cardiac electrophysiology.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2022)
Article
Biology
Nayara AC. Horta, Paola Fernandes, Thais SR. Cardoso, Frederico SM. Machado, Lucas R. Drummond, Candido C. Coimbra, Samuel P. Wanner, Ana Maria L. Castrucci, Maristela O. Poletini
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of TRPV1 desensitization or blockade on body temperature, locomotor activity, blood corticosterone, and clock genes expression in the liver and adrenal glands. The results showed that TRPV1 desensitization or blockade altered the expression of clock genes and corticosterone levels in the liver and adrenal glands, but had minimal effects on body temperature and locomotor activity.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Futaba Matsui, Sho T. T. Yamaguchi, Riho Kobayashi, Shiho Ito, Sakimi Nagashima, Zhiwen Zhou, Hiroaki Norimoto
Summary: Microglia, the macrophages in the brain, are not involved in the generation and light entrainment of circadian rhythms of behavior, as their depletion does not alter behavioral circadian rhythms. This suggests that the circadian rhythms of locomotor activity is unlikely to be produced by microglia.
Review
Cell Biology
Raymond E. A. Sanchez, Franck Kalume, Horacio O. de la Iglesia
Summary: Nearly all mammals have robust daily rhythms called circadian rhythms, which are controlled by a master clock in the hypothalamus and affect various biological processes. This review summarizes the current understanding of circadian regulation of sleep, including neural circuitry, molecular mechanisms, and developmental regulation.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Mariana Astiz, Lina Maria Delgado-Garcia, Laura Lopez-Mascaraque
Summary: Astrocytes have gained importance in building brain circuits and regulating complex behavior alongside neurons. The circadian system synchronizes physiological processes in mammals such as sleep-wake cycle and cognition. Recent breakthrough discoveries have implicated astrocytes as essential time-keepers in addition to neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus.
Article
Neurosciences
Ryan Hamnett, Johanna E. Chesham, Elizabeth S. Maywood, Michael H. Hastings
Summary: Circadian rhythms in mammals are generated by cell-autonomous transcriptional/translational feedback loops, coordinated by the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Cells expressing VIP mediate retinal entrainment of the SCN, while deletion of Bmal1 severely disrupts circadian behavioral rhythms.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daisuke Ono, Ken-ichi Honma, Sato Honma
Summary: The central circadian clock in the mammalian suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is regulated by the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), which influences circadian rhythms through intracellular Cl- concentration. The excitatory and inhibitory effects of GABA in the SCN are influenced by factors such as day-length, time, and region within the SCN. GABA mediates oscillatory coupling of circadian rhythms and refines circadian output rhythms, suggesting a downstream role in regulating the physiological and behavioral temporal order.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Vendula Luzna, Pavel Houdek, Karolina Liska, Alena Sumova
Summary: During fetal development, maternal signaling can impact the developing clock in the suprachiasmatic nuclei. Disruption of maternal signaling due to disturbances in the light/dark cycle can lead to changes in gene expression profiles in the fetal SCN. The fetal SCN is highly sensitive to various changes in maternal signaling related to environmental disturbances, showing gene-specific responses.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Xiaoxiao Lu, Minjie Zhou, Nannan Liu, Chengshun Zhang, Zhengyu Zhao, Dingjun Cai
Summary: This study found that EA treatment can partially restore the circadian rhythmicity of mice exposed to constant darkness for a long time. By using mass spectrometry-based phosphoproteomics, the molecular characteristics of phosphorylation modifications in the suprachiasmatic nucleus were explored, revealing the significant role of structural proteins in this process.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hiroyuki Shimatani, Yuichi Inoue, Yota Maekawa, Takahito Miyake, Yoshiaki Yamaguchi, Masao Doi
Summary: Circadian clocks coordinate various physiological rhythms, with body temperature and locomotor activity showing positive correlation. However, increases in body temperature are not always accompanied by locomotor activity. Video imaging reveals that non-locomotor movements, such as grooming, can significantly elevate body temperature and precede locomotor activity.
Article
Biology
Jean-Michel Fustin
Summary: Methylation, a widespread biochemical modification found in organisms, plays a crucial role in the origin and development of life, as well as in biological rhythms. In mammals, methylation is achieved through a complex metabolic pathway that synthesizes S-adenosylmethionine, which is involved in the methylation of nucleic acids, proteins, fatty acids, and small molecules. Methylation deficiencies contribute to the etiology of various pathologies. Additionally, methylation is important for regulating circadian rhythms.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL RHYTHMS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Masahiro Matsuo, Kazuyuki Seo, Akiyuki Taruno, Yasutaka Mizoro, Yoshiaki Yamaguchi, Masao Doi, Rhyuta Nakao, Hiroshi Kori, Takaya Abe, Harunori Ohmori, Keiko Tominaga, Hitoshi Okamura
Summary: This study reveals the role of Gem protein in regulating calcium signaling in the circadian clock. Gem inhibits VDCCs to attenuate light-induced calcium signaling. Deficiency of Gem leads to increased phase-shift magnitude in locomotor activity rhythms under light exposure, which can be normalized by blocking VDCCs.
Article
Biology
Kazuki Fukumoto, Kakeru Ito, Benjamin Saer, George Taylor, Shiqi Ye, Mayu Yamano, Yuki Toriba, Andrew Hayes, Hitoshi Okamura, Jean-Michel Fustin
Summary: S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), a widely used dietary supplement, has been found to disrupt biological rhythms and produce toxic methylation inhibitors when taken in excess, raising concerns about its safety as a supplement.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Masao Doi, Xianmin Xu
Summary: This paper proposes a variational principle to calculate the escape rate of complex molecules doing Brownian motion in a multi-dimensional phase space. A regional minimization method is introduced to divide the whole phase space into regions and conduct minimization for each region, and then combine the results to obtain the minimum value in the entire space. The escape rates of a point particle escaping through a long corridor and a rod-like particle escaping through a small hole in the confinement wall are discussed as examples.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Zhaoyu Ding, Peihan Lyu, Ang Shi, Xingkun Man, Masao Doi
Summary: This study develops a diffusio-mechanical theory to explain the bending behaviors of gel sheets during liquid penetration and calculates the time dependence of two types of gels. The results show distinct differences in the bending behaviors between free gels and bound gels.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kojiro Tsujihana, Kosuke Tanegashima, Yasuko Santo, Hiroyuki Yamada, Sota Akazawa, Ryuta Nakao, Keiko Tominaga, Risa Saito, Yasumasa Nishito, Ryu-Ichiro Hata, Tomonori Nakamura, Iori Murai, Yuka Kono, Maho Sugawa, Miki Tanioka, Gyohei Egawa, Masao Doi, Tadashi Isa, Kenji Kabashima, Takahiko Hara, Hitoshi Okamura
Summary: The epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, acts as a primary barrier against external pathogens. The early immune response in the epidermis is still not well understood, but research has shown that keratinocytes exhibit circadian fluctuations and can activate innate immunity. In nocturnal mice, the expression of CXCL14, a chemokine, is associated with clearance of the skin pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, with high expression during the subjective daytime and low expression at night. However, in diurnal primates like marmosets, CXCL14 expression is reversed. These findings suggest that the circadian production of CXCL14 plays a role in suppressing skin bacterial proliferation by activating the innate immune system.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Editorial Material
Ophthalmology
Yuki Hamada, Lena Sasaki, Hikari Uehara, Tomo Suzuki, Shigeru Kinoshita, Kento Otsuka, Akio Kihara, Yoshiaki Yamaguchi, Takahito Miyake, Masao Doi
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bin Zheng, Fangfu Ye, Shigeyuki Komura, Masao Doi
Summary: We analyze the translocation process of a spherical vesicle through a hole smaller than its size, driven by pressure difference ΔP. We show that the vesicle exhibits certain universal characteristics independent of membrane elasticity: (i) a critical pressure ΔPc below which no translocation occurs; (ii) ΔPc approaches zero as the vesicle radius R0 approaches the hole radius a, following the scaling relation ΔPc (R0 - a)3/2; and (iii) the translocation time τ diverges as ΔP decreases to ΔPc, following the scaling relation τ (ΔP - ΔPc)-1/2.
Article
Cell Biology
Takahito Miyake, Yuichi Inoue, Xinyan Shao, Takehito Seta, Yuto Aoki, Khanh Tien Nguyen Pham, Yuichi Shichino, Junko Sasaki, Takehiko Sasaki, Masahito Ikawa, Yoshiaki Yamaguchi, Hitoshi Okamura, Shintaro Iwasaki, Masao Doi
Summary: Body temperature in homeothermic animals fluctuates within a physiological range and serves as a systemic signal for circadian clock-regulated physiology. The upstream open reading frame (uORF) of the core clock gene Per2 acts as a regulatory module for temperature-dependent circadian clock entrainment.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yoshiaki Yamaguchi, Iori Murai, Momoko Takeda, Shotaro Doi, Takehito Seta, Reiko Hanada, Kenji Kangawa, Hitoshi Okamura, Takahito Miyake, Masao Doi
Summary: The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the master circadian clock in mammals and is properly entrained by environmental light cycle. The orphan G-protein-coupled receptor Gpr176 controls the pace (period) of the circadian rhythm in behavior but is not apparently involved in the light entrainment. The study discovered that Nmu, Nms, and Gpr176 are required for the proper modulation of light-induced phase shift in mice.
BIOLOGICAL & PHARMACEUTICAL BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Lena Sasaki, Yuki Hamada, Daisuke Yarimizu, Tomo Suzuki, Hiroki Nakamura, Aya Shimada, Khanh Tien Nguyen Pham, Xinyan Shao, Koki Yamamura, Tsutomu Inatomi, Hironobu Morinaga, Emi K. Nishimura, Fujimi Kudo, Ichiro Manabe, Shogo Haraguchi, Yuki Sugiura, Makoto Suematsu, Shigeru Kinoshita, Mamiko Machida, Takeshi Nakajima, Hiroshi Kiyonari, Hitoshi Okamura, Yoshiaki Yamaguchi, Takahito Miyake, Masao Doi
Summary: Meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eye disease associated with aging can be ameliorated by the reactivation of local intracrine activity through 3β-HSD enzyme, which can be achieved by boosting the availability of its coenzyme NAD(+). This study highlights the importance of local steroidogenesis in combating age-related meibomian gland dysfunction.