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Parallel Measurement of Circadian Clock Gene Expression and Hormone Secretion in Human Primary Cell Cultures
Published on: November 11, 2016
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Development of the circadian clockwork in the kidney
Krisztina Mészáros1, Linda Pruess2, Attila J Szabó3
11] Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany [2] Nephrological Research Laboratory of the Hungarian Academy of Science and the First Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Semmelweis, Hungary.
Kidney International
|June 5, 2014
Summary
The kidney
Area of Science:
- Circadian biology
- Developmental biology
- Renal physiology
Background:
- The circadian molecular clock regulates physiological processes through synchronized tissue pacemakers.
- Understanding the development and regulation of the kidney's internal clock is crucial for renal health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ontogeny and entrainment of the circadian clock machinery in the developing kidney.
- To explore the influence of nutritional cues on kidney circadian gene expression during development.
Main Methods:
- Profiling canonical clock gene and kidney-specific gene expression using RT-PCR in rat kidneys at various developmental stages (embryonic day 20, postnatal weeks 1, 4, 12).
- Modifying postpartum maternal feeding patterns to assess the role of nutritional cues in entraining circadian rhythms.
- Analyzing gene expression oscillations and phase shifts in response to developmental changes and altered feeding schedules.
Main Results:
- Circadian expression of key clock and kidney-specific genes was observed by the end of intrauterine development.
- Postnatal development led to phase shifts in gene oscillations, aligning with peak feeding times.
- Maternal deprivation induced significant phase shifts and disrupted oscillations, highlighting the impact of nutritional cues.
- A mature adult circadian clock pattern was fully established by 12 postnatal weeks.
Conclusions:
- A functional circadian molecular clock develops in the late fetal and early postnatal kidney.
- Nutritional cues, particularly during the nursing period, play a critical role in entraining kidney circadian rhythms.
- The synchronized circadian expression of tubular genes involved in fluid and electrolyte balance with the feeding-entrained clock is vital for maintaining homeostasis during development.
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