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Nocturnin: at the crossroads of clocks and metabolism

Jeremy J Stubblefield1, Jérémy Terrien, Carla B Green

  • 1Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, NB4.204G, Dallas, TX 75390-9111, USA.

Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism: TEM
|May 22, 2012
PubMed

Insights

The circadian clock gene Nocturnin (Noc) regulates metabolism. Mice lacking Noc resist diet-induced obesity, suggesting Noc is a key mediator in circadian metabolic control.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Metabolic Research
  • Chronobiology

Background:

  • Metabolism is regulated by circadian clocks, and disruptions cause metabolic syndrome.
  • Nocturnin (Noc) is a rhythmic gene encoding a deadenylase involved in mRNA regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Nocturnin (Noc) in circadian regulation of metabolic processes.
  • To understand Noc's function in diet-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Noc gene function in mouse models.
  • Assessment of metabolic parameters including obesity, hepatic steatosis, and lipid trafficking.

Main Results:

  • Mice lacking the Noc gene showed resistance to diet-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis.
  • Reduced lipid trafficking in the small intestine was observed in Noc-deficient mice.
  • Noc's involvement in lipid metabolism, adipogenesis, glucose homeostasis, inflammation, and osteogenesis was implicated.

Conclusions:

  • Nocturnin (Noc) is a critical post-transcriptional regulator in the circadian control of metabolism.
  • Targeting Noc may offer therapeutic strategies for metabolic disorders like obesity and hepatic steatosis.

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