Molecular Advances in Circadian Rhythm and Metabolism

Dear Colleagues,

Most of the organisms on Earth are subjected to circadian rhythms, which last 24 h, due to external oscillations (such as light, darkness, or temperature fluctuations) and internal stimuli such as endocrine signals. During evolution, organisms developed an autonomous time-keeping mechanism, enabling them to anticipate geo-physical diurnal changes, thereby acquiring a competitive advantage.

In mammals, the synchronization of circadian rhythms is systemically controlled by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), located in the hypothalamus and regulated via photic inputs sent by the optic nerve. Other local circadian clocks, synchronized by the SCN, are in the peripheral tissue and regulate physiological, biochemical, and behavioral rhythms.

At the molecular level, circadian rhythmicity is established autonomously through a transcriptional–translational feedback loop involving a core clock gene system with the heterodimeric complex formed by CLOCK and BMAL1 proteins that bind E-box regulatory sequences driving the extensive gene expression of clock-controlled genes.

It has been estimated via transcriptomic analysis that in mammals, depending on the tissue, 30–70% of the entire genome is under clock gene control. In this regard, mounting evidence indicates the tight control of catabolic and anabolic cell metabolism. Consistently, circadian disruption has a negative impact on metabolism, with increased metabolic risks and development in humans with cardiovascular, cancer, neurological and psychiatric, and immunological diseases. Intriguingly, factors affecting metabolism such as physical exercise and diet have been reported to influence circadian rhythms. This suggests a complex reciprocal interplay between metabolism and biological rhythms that warrants the deepening of our understanding in terms of molecular mechanisms, which this Special Issue intends to contribute with the aim to provide mechanistic insights into circadian physiology and to advance new chronotherapy approaches and therapeutic targets for metabolic disorders.

Dr. Olga Cela
Dr. Rosella Scrima
Guest Editors

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• circadian rhythms
• metabolism
• clock genes
• protein processing/post-translational modifications
• chronomedicine