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Updated: Jan 11, 2026
06:53
Parallel Measurement of Circadian Clock Gene Expression and Hormone Secretion in Human Primary Cell Cultures
Published on: November 11, 2016
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Intestinal clock shapes sleep-wake cycle via sustaining glutamine homeostasis
Lianxia Guo1, Yifei Xiao1, Zanjin Li1
1Institute of Molecular Rhythm and Metabolism, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China.
Cell Metabolism
|November 18, 2025
Summary
The intestinal clock regulates sleep-wake cycles by controlling glutamine absorption in the gut. Disruptions to this clock, affecting glutamine levels, lead to sleep abnormalities, highlighting the gut as a target for sleep disorder management.
Area of Science:
- Chronobiology
- Gastroenterology
- Sleep Science
Background:
- The intestinal clock influences feeding signals and circadian events.
- Its role in timing homeostatic processes, particularly sleep-wake regulation, remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the circadian clock in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) in regulating the sleep-wake cycle.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms linking intestinal glutamine homeostasis to sleep regulation.
Main Methods:
- Functional dissections of the circadian clock components (BMAL1, REV-ERBα) in IECs.
- Analysis of diurnal SLC6A19 expression and glutamine absorption.
- Assessment of sleep-wake patterns and glutamatergic neuron activity.
Main Results:
- IEC circadian clock integrity is essential for maintaining diurnal sleep-wake cycles.
- BMAL1 in IECs drives diurnal glutamine absorption, promoting wakefulness.
- IEC deficiency of REV-ERBα elevates rest-phase glutamine, causing sleep reduction.
Conclusions:
- The intestinal clock gates glutamine homeostasis to shape the diurnal sleep-wake cycle.
- Gut-derived glutamine influences hypothalamic activity and sleep.
- The intestinal clock is a potential therapeutic target for improving sleep rhythm and managing sleep disorders.
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