Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
10:38
Monitoring Cell-autonomous Circadian Clock Rhythms of Gene Expression Using Luciferase Bioluminescence Reporters
Published on: September 27, 2012
The CLOCK gene and mood disorders: a case-control study and meta-analysis.
Taro Kishi1, Reiji Yoshimura, Yasuhisa Fukuo
1Department of Psychiatry Research, The Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, New York, USA. tarok@fujita-hu.ac.jp
Chronobiology International
|November 15, 2011
Summary
The CLOCK gene is not significantly associated with bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder risk in the Japanese population. A meta-analysis also found no link between the rs1801260 variant and mood disorders, suggesting CLOCK is not a major factor.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The CLOCK gene is a candidate for mood disorder pathophysiology.
- The CLOCK rs1801260 polymorphism may affect circadian rhythms.
- Previous studies suggest a potential link between CLOCK and mood disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between CLOCK single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the risk of bipolar disorder (BP) and major depressive disorder (MDD) in a Japanese population.
- To conduct an updated meta-analysis on the association between the CLOCK rs1801260 polymorphism and mood disorder risk.
Main Methods:
- Case-control study of three CLOCK tagging SNPs (rs3736544, rs1801260, rs3749474) in 867 BP, 139 MDD patients, and 889 controls.
- Allele, genotype, and haplotype analyses were performed.
- Updated meta-analysis of nine genetic association studies involving 3321 mood disorder cases and 3574 controls.
Main Results:
- No significant associations were found between the studied CLOCK tagging SNPs and the risk of BP or MDD in the Japanese population.
- The rs1801260 polymorphism was not associated with BP, MDD, or any mood disorders in the meta-analysis.
- Global p-values for BP and MDD were .605 and .211, respectively, indicating no statistical significance.
Conclusions:
- The CLOCK gene does not appear to play a major role in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder.
- The findings do not support the hypothesis linking CLOCK gene variations to increased risk of these mood disorders.
- Further research may be needed to explore other genetic factors contributing to mood disorder development.
Related Concept Videos
02:19Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation
The biological clock is involved in many aspects of regulating complex physiology in all animals. It was in 1935 when German zoologists, Hans Kalmus and Erwin Bünning, discovered the existence of circadian rhythm in Drosophila melanogaster. However, the internal molecular mechanisms behind the circadian clock remained a mystery until 1984, when Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael W. Young discovered the expression of the Per gene oscillating over a 24-hour cycle. In subsequent years,...
02:19Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation
The biological clock is involved in many aspects of regulating complex physiology in all animals. It was in 1935 when German zoologists, Hans Kalmus and Erwin Bünning, discovered the existence of circadian rhythm in Drosophila melanogaster. However, the internal molecular mechanisms behind the circadian clock remained a mystery until 1984, when Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael W. Young discovered the expression of the Per gene oscillating over a 24-hour cycle. In subsequent years,...
01:28Human Genetics
Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
01:27Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
02:45Biological Clocks and Seasonal Responses
The circadian—or biological—clock is an intrinsic, timekeeping, molecular mechanism that allows plants to coordinate physiological activities over 24-hour cycles called circadian rhythms. Photoperiodism is a collective term for the biological responses of plants to variations in the relative lengths of dark and light periods. The period of light-exposure is called the photoperiod.
01:30Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition marked by significant mood fluctuations, including episodes of mania and depression. Elevated energy levels, heightened mood or irritability, impulsive behavior, reduced sleep needs, rapid speech, racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, and distractibility characterize mania. Individuals with bipolar disorder often alternate between depressive and manic states, with periods of emotional stability lasting an average of six months to a year.