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CLOCK Gene

Meaning

The CLOCK Gene, short for Circadian Locomotor Output Cycles Kaput, is a core component of the molecular machinery that governs the body’s internal 24-hour circadian rhythm. This gene encodes a transcription factor that forms a heterodimer with BMAL1, driving the rhythmic expression of numerous downstream genes across virtually all tissues. The proper function of the CLOCK gene is indispensable for regulating the timing of sleep-wake cycles, metabolic processes, and hormone secretion patterns.