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Updated: Jun 20, 2026
06:53
Parallel Measurement of Circadian Clock Gene Expression and Hormone Secretion in Human Primary Cell Cultures
Published on: November 11, 2016
Working around the clock: circadian rhythms and skeletal muscle
Xiping Zhang1, Thomas J Dube, Karyn A Esser
1Center for Muscle Biology, Dept. of Physiology, Chandler College of Medicine, Univ. of Kentucky, 800 Rose St., Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|August 22, 2009
Summary
The skeletal muscle molecular clock is crucial for muscle structure and metabolism. Disruptions in this clock can lead to metabolic diseases like insulin resistance, highlighting its importance.
Area of Science:
- Circadian Biology
- Skeletal Muscle Physiology
- Metabolic Health
Background:
- The molecular clock's role in skeletal muscle is under-explored.
- Clock-compromised mice show disrupted gene expression in skeletal muscle.
- Circadian factors are increasingly linked to metabolism and metabolic diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the circadian clock's contribution to skeletal muscle metabolism.
- Understand the clock's role in metabolic responses to exercise.
- Clarify the molecular clock's involvement in muscle-related diseases like insulin resistance.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing established skeletal muscle research models.
- Employing genetic models with disrupted molecular clocks (e.g., Clock mutant mice).
- Analyzing gene expression patterns related to muscle structure and metabolism.
Main Results:
- Skeletal muscle possesses a molecular clock.
- Clock disruption significantly alters gene expression for muscle structure and metabolism.
- Evidence suggests time-of-day effects on muscle strength and metabolism.
Conclusions:
- The skeletal muscle molecular clock influences muscle physiology.
- Circadian factors may play a role in optimizing athletic performance.
- Further research with genetic models is needed for mechanistic understanding.
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