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Updated: Mar 5, 2026
Parallel Measurement of Circadian Clock Gene Expression and Hormone Secretion in Human Primary Cell Cultures
Published on: November 11, 2016
[Effect of clock gene PER1 knockdown on clock gene networks in human oral squamous cell carcinoma]
Objective:
This study investigated the effect of clock gene PER1 on the expression levels of other clock genes in clock gene networks in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.
Methods:
We used RNA interference mediated by short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) to effectively knock down PER1 in SCC15 human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the degree of proliferation and apoptosis of the cells after PER1 knockdown, and quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of the clock genes CLOCK, BMAL1, PER1, PER2, PER3, DEC1, DEC2, CRY1, CRY2, TIM, CKIE, RORA, NPAS2, and REV-ERBA.
Results:
The proliferation index of SCC15 cells increased significantly while the apoptotic index decreased significantly after PER1 knockdown (P<0.05). The mRNA expression levels of PER1, PER2, DEC1, DEC2, CRY1, CRY2, and NPAS2 markedly decreased (P<0.05) while those of PER3, TIM, RORA, and REV-ERBA markedly increased (P<0.05). By contrast, no obvious changes were observed in the mRNA expression levels of CLOCK, BMAL1, and CKIE (P>0.05).
Conclusions:
The clock gene PER1 can regulate the expression levels of other clock genes in the clock gene networks; these genes include PER2, DEC1, DEC2, CRY1, CRY2, NPAS2, PER3, TIM, RORA, and REV-ERBA. PER1 gene thus plays an important role in the regulation of clock gene networks. .
Insights
The clock gene PER1 influences other clock genes in oral cancer cells, affecting cell proliferation and apoptosis. PER1 knockdown alters the expression of key genes within the cellular clock network, highlighting its regulatory role.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Chronobiology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Circadian rhythm genes, or clock genes, regulate physiological processes.
- Dysregulation of clock genes is implicated in various cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
- The specific role of the Period 1 (PER1) gene in OSCC clock gene networks requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of PER1 knockdown on the expression of other clock genes in OSCC cells.
- To determine the effect of PER1 modulation on the proliferation and apoptosis of OSCC cells.
Main Methods:
- PER1 was knocked down in SCC15 human OSCC cells using short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs).
- Cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed using flow cytometry.
- Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was employed to measure mRNA expression levels of multiple clock genes.
Main Results:
- PER1 knockdown led to increased cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis in SCC15 cells (P<0.05).
- Significant alterations in mRNA expression were observed for PER2, DEC1, DEC2, CRY1, CRY2, NPAS2, PER3, TIM, RORA, and REV-ERBA.
- Expression levels of CLOCK, BMAL1, and CKIE remained largely unchanged.
Conclusions:
- The clock gene PER1 plays a crucial regulatory role in the cellular clock gene network within OSCC.
- PER1 influences the expression of numerous other clock genes, impacting cellular processes like proliferation and apoptosis.
- These findings suggest PER1 as a potential therapeutic target in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
