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Potassium rhythms couple the circadian clock to the cell cycle
Sergio Gil Rodríguez1, Priya Crosby2, Louise L Hansen1
1School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Max Born Crescent EH9 3BF Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|April 15, 2024
Summary
Circadian rhythms are linked to the cell cycle via intracellular potassium (K+) oscillations. This fundamental mechanism, observed in algae and mammals, reveals how potassium levels regulate cell division and circadian gene expression.
Area of Science:
- Chronobiology
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Circadian rhythms are essential biological processes influencing health, with disruptions linked to disease.
- The coupling mechanism between circadian rhythms and the cell cycle remains largely unknown.
- Previous work identified circadian oscillations in intracellular potassium concentration ([K+]i).
Approach:
- Utilized the alga *Ostreococcus tauri* as a model system to investigate the link between circadian rhythms and intracellular potassium.
- Examined the reciprocal feedback between [K+]i and circadian gene expression.
- Investigated the impact of manipulating potassium rhythms on cell proliferation and circadian cycle phases.
Key Points:
- Direct reciprocal feedback exists between intracellular potassium levels and circadian gene expression.
- Cell proliferation inhibition by altering potassium rhythms is phase-dependent on the circadian cycle.
- Enforced extracellular potassium gradients can induce cell division even when circadian gene expression is inhibited.
Conclusions:
- Circadian regulation of intracellular potassium is a primary factor coupling the cell cycle and circadian rhythms.
- This potassium-mediated coupling is conserved across diverse organisms, including mammalian cells.
- Understanding this link offers insights into cellular regulation and potential therapeutic targets.
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