Adipose tissue clock genes are the intrinsic genetic components, primarily from the core circadian machinery, that govern the 24-hour rhythmic expression of metabolic functions within fat cells. They dictate the timing of critical processes like lipid storage and release, as well as the secretion of adipokines, ensuring metabolic processes align with the body’s internal clock. A robust clock gene expression is essential for maintaining healthy energy homeostasis and preventing adipose tissue dysfunction.
Origin
The concept arises from the field of chronobiology, specifically the discovery of the molecular clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which was later found to have peripheral oscillators, or “slave clocks,” in nearly every tissue, including adipose tissue. These genes, such as Per and Cry, are evolutionary conserved components of the cellular timekeeping system. Their function in fat metabolism highlights the crucial link between biological timing and endocrine regulation.
Mechanism
The clock genes operate through an autoregulatory transcriptional-translational feedback loop, where CLOCK and BMAL1 proteins heterodimerize to activate the transcription of Per and Cry genes. Subsequently, PER and CRY proteins accumulate in the cytoplasm, translocate back to the nucleus, and inhibit the CLOCK/BMAL1 complex, thereby completing the cycle and generating a 24-hour rhythm. In adipose tissue, this rhythm precisely controls the transcription of genes involved in lipogenesis, lipolysis, and insulin sensitivity, optimizing energy handling throughout the day.
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