Micro RNAs and the biological clock: a target for diseases associated with a loss of circadian regulation

Qianwen Ma,Yong Tan,Genlin Mo

doi:10.4314/ahs.v20i4.46

Qianwen Ma, Yong Tan + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v20i4.46

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Abstract

Circadian clocks are self-sustaining oscillators that coordinate behavior and physiology over a 24 hour period, achieving time-dependent homeostasis with the external environment. The molecular clocks driving circadian rhythmic changes are based on intertwined transcriptional/translational feedback loops that combine with a range of environmental and metabolic stimuli to generate daily internal programing. Understanding how biological rhythms are generated throughout the body and the reasons for their dysregulation can provide avenues for temporally directed therapeutics. In recent years, microRNAs have been shown to play important roles in the regulation of the circadian clock, particularly in Drosophila, but also in some small animal and human studies. This review will summarize our current understanding of the role of miRNAs during clock regulation, with a particular focus on the control of clock regulated gene expression.

Highlights

Circadian clock represents a ubiquitous internal mechanism that allows organisms to adapt to cyclic changes in temperature, light, and other environmental factors[1]
It is recognized that many molecular mechanisms influence circadian gene expression including changes to the architecture of chromatin[14], interactions with transcription factors[10], post-transcriptional RNA modifications[3], post-translational modifications[15,16], and protein trafficking and degradation[7,17,18]
We provide an up-to-date overview of the role of miRNAs in circadian clock physiology, and discuss new methods to harness their ability to influence circadian physiology

Summary

Introduction

Circadian clock represents a ubiquitous internal mechanism that allows organisms to adapt to cyclic changes in temperature, light, and other environmental factors[1]. Several mechanisms of functional impairment due to an abnormal circadian clock have been proposed, including altered cell signaling, cellular metabolic changes, and inflammation[6]. Scientists has revealed mechanisms underlying circadian clock function through studying Drosophila. MiRNAs and the control of circadian rhythms Drosophila studies CR processes are driven by endogenous molecular clocks that regulate the expression of clock-controlled genes (CCGs).

Results

Conclusion