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Circadian gene expression in cultured cells
Emi Nagoshi1, Steven A Brown, Charna Dibner
1Department of Molecular Biology, Sciences III, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva-4, Switzerlan.
Methods in Enzymology
|April 9, 2005
Summary
Mammalian peripheral cells, including fibroblasts, possess functional circadian oscillators. Studying these cellular rhythms in culture aids in dissecting the molecular mechanisms of the circadian clockwork and discovering new clock components.
Area of Science:
- Chronobiology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Circadian rhythms are regulated by molecular oscillators present in specialized neurons of the suprachiasmatic nucleus.
- Peripheral circadian oscillators are found in nearly all mammalian cell types, not just the brain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and study of circadian rhythms in cultured mammalian fibroblast cell lines.
- To establish a model system for dissecting the molecular components and genetic regulation of the circadian clockwork.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing established fibroblast cell lines (Rat-1, NIH3T3) and primary fibroblasts from mouse embryos and adults.
- Inducing circadian oscillations through short-term treatment with high concentrations of serum or signaling pathway activators.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the operability of circadian oscillators in various cultured fibroblast cell types.
- Established that peripheral circadian rhythms can be studied effectively in vitro.
Conclusions:
- Cultured fibroblasts serve as a viable model for studying cellular circadian rhythms.
- This research facilitates the biochemical and genetic dissection of the circadian clockwork.
- Promotes the discovery of novel components involved in circadian timekeeping.