What is the Origin of Clock Genes?

This biological term arose from the field of chronobiology, the study of biological rhythms, following the discovery of the core components of the molecular clock mechanism in model organisms. The term 'clock' is an analogy for the time-keeping function these genes perform at the cellular level.

What is the Mechanism of Clock Genes?

The central mechanism involves the cyclic accumulation and degradation of PER and CRY proteins, which inhibit their own transcription factors, primarily the BMAL1/CLOCK heterodimer. This cyclical inhibition-release dictates the timing of gene expression for thousands of downstream targets, including numerous hormone receptors and enzymes involved in metabolism. Disruptions in clock gene function can profoundly impair endocrine signaling, affecting cortisol secretion patterns, insulin sensitivity, and the nocturnal release of growth hormone.

Clock Genes

Meaning

Clock Genes are a specific set of genes whose protein products interact in complex transcriptional-translational feedback loops to generate and maintain the endogenous circadian rhythm within nearly every cell of the body. These core molecular components, including Period (PER), Cryptochrome (CRY), and BMAL1, establish a roughly 24-hour cycle that governs a wide array of physiological processes. Their coordinated function is essential for synchronizing the body’s internal timing with the external light-dark cycle.

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