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Updated: May 8, 2026
06:53
Parallel Measurement of Circadian Clock Gene Expression and Hormone Secretion in Human Primary Cell Cultures
Published on: November 11, 2016
The circadian clock and cell cycle: interconnected biological circuits
Selma Masri1, Marlene Cervantes, Paolo Sassone-Corsi
1Center for Epigenetics and Metabolism, Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, United States.
Current Opinion in Cell Biology
|August 24, 2013
Summary
The circadian clock regulates 24-hour physiological processes. This review explores how the circadian clock and cell cycle interact, highlighting their crucial roles in maintaining health and preventing diseases like cancer.
Area of Science:
- Chronobiology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The circadian clock regulates daily physiological rhythms, impacting endocrine and metabolic pathways.
- Disruptions in circadian clock function are associated with diseases, including cancer.
- The cell cycle is tightly regulated, and its proper functioning is crucial for organismal health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in understanding the 'gating' controls of the circadian clock at cell cycle checkpoints.
- To explore how the cell cycle influences biological rhythms.
- To elucidate the reciprocal relationship between the circadian clock and the cell cycle.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent scientific publications.
- Analysis of studies investigating circadian clock-cell cycle interactions.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on regulatory mechanisms.
Main Results:
- The circadian clock gates cell cycle progression at specific checkpoints.
- The cell cycle can modulate the amplitude and phase of circadian rhythms.
- Evidence suggests a complex interplay with multiple regulatory steps ensuring proper biological timekeeping.
Conclusions:
- The circadian clock and cell cycle are deeply intertwined biological circuits.
- Their reciprocal regulation is essential for maintaining physiological homeostasis.
- Dysregulation of this interplay may contribute to pathological conditions like cancer.
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