Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Parallel Measurement of Circadian Clock Gene Expression and Hormone Secretion in Human Primary Cell Cultures
06:53

Parallel Measurement of Circadian Clock Gene Expression and Hormone Secretion in Human Primary Cell Cultures

Published on: November 11, 2016

REV-ERB-erating nuclear receptor functions in circadian metabolism and physiology

Jürgen A Ripperger1, Urs Albrecht

  • 1Department of Biology, Unit of Biochemistry, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 5, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.

Cell Research
|May 23, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Disrupted circadian rhythms can lead to chronic diseases. New research shows Rev-Erb agonists can reset metabolic pathways, offering a potential therapy for circadian-related disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Chronobiology
  • Molecular biology
  • Metabolic regulation

Background:

  • Mammalian circadian timing systems synchronize physiology and behavior.
  • Disturbances in this synchronization are linked to chronic diseases like metabolic syndrome and depression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of nuclear receptors of the Rev-Erb family in the circadian oscillator and its metabolic output.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of Rev-Erb-specific agonists in resynchronizing metabolic pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of three new studies focusing on the Rev-Erb nuclear receptor family.
  • Investigation of the impact of Rev-Erb agonists on the circadian oscillator and metabolic pathways.

Main Results:

  • The Rev-Erb nuclear receptor family significantly impacts the circadian oscillator.
  • The metabolic output of the circadian system can be modulated by Rev-Erb.
  • Specific agonists targeting Rev-Erb can modify this impact.

Conclusions:

  • Manipulation of the circadian oscillator using Rev-Erb-specific agonists is a feasible therapeutic strategy.
  • This approach may target diseases associated with a misaligned circadian system.
  • Resynchronization of metabolic pathways offers a novel therapeutic concept.

More Related Videos

In Vitro Bioluminescence Assay to Characterize Circadian Rhythm in Mammary Epithelial Cells11:56

In Vitro Bioluminescence Assay to Characterize Circadian Rhythm in Mammary Epithelial Cells

Published on: September 28, 2017

Monitoring Cell-autonomous Circadian Clock Rhythms of Gene Expression Using Luciferase Bioluminescence Reporters10:38

Monitoring Cell-autonomous Circadian Clock Rhythms of Gene Expression Using Luciferase Bioluminescence Reporters

Published on: September 27, 2012

Related Concept Videos

Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation02:19

Circadian 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,...
Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation02:19

Circadian 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,...
Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors01:31

Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors

Nuclear receptors, or NRs, are unique transcription factors that regulate gene transcription and affect the cellular pathways involved in reproduction, development, or metabolism. Their ability to be stimulated by small lipophilic ligands and control vital cellular processes makes them ideal drug targets. Nearly 10-15% of currently prescribed drugs target these receptors.
About 48 different soluble family members of nuclear receptors are identified that can be divided into two main classes:
Introduction to Nuclear Reprogramming01:14

Introduction to Nuclear Reprogramming

Nuclear reprogramming is the process of switching gene expression of one cell type to that of another cell type, usually from a differentiated cell state to an undifferentiated cell state. Differentiation occurs during processes such as development and morphogenesis, tissue regeneration, and malignancy. Cells can also be artificially induced to reprogram their gene expression by techniques such as nuclear transfer, induced pluripotency, and cell fusion. Such techniques have many applications in...
Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting01:45

Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting

Nuclear protein sorting regulates nucleus composition and gene expression, crucial for determining the fate of a eukaryotic cell. Hence, the entry and exit of molecules across the nuclear envelope is a tightly controlled process. Nuclear protein sorting can be inhibited by one of the following ways: 1) masking cargo signal sequences, 2) modifying the nuclear receptor's affinity for cargo, 3) controlling the nuclear pore size, 4) retaining the cargo during its transit to the cytosol or the...
Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response01:31

Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response

Inositol-requiring kinase one or IRE1 is the most conserved eukaryotic unfolded protein response (UPR) receptor. It is a type I transmembrane protein kinase receptor with a distinctive site-specific RNase activity. As the binding mechanics of the misfolded proteins with the N-terminal domain of IRE-1 are unclear, three binding models — direct, indirect, and allosteric -- are proposed for receptor activation. Nevertheless, it is known that once a misfolded protein associates with IRE1, it...