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Pifer GC, Ferrara NC, Kwapis JL. Long-lasting effects of disturbing the circadian rhythm or sleep in adolescence. Brain Res Bull 2024; 213:110978. [PMID: 38759704 PMCID: PMC11197883 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2024.110978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Circadian rhythms are endogenous, near 24-hour rhythms that regulate a multitude of biological and behavioral processes across the diurnal cycle in most organisms. Over the lifespan, a bell curve pattern emerges in circadian phase preference (i.e. chronotype), with children and adults generally preferring to wake earlier and fall asleep earlier, and adolescents and young adults preferring to wake later and fall asleep later than their adult counterparts. This well-defined shift speaks to the variability of circadian rhythmicity over the lifespan and the changing needs and demands of the brain as an organism develops, particularly in the adolescent period. Indeed, adolescence is known to be a critical period of development during which dramatic neuroanatomical changes are occurring to allow for improved decision-making. Due to the large amount of re-structuring occurring in the adolescent brain, circadian disruptions during this period could have adverse consequences that persist across the lifespan. While the detrimental effects of circadian disruptions in adults have been characterized in depth, few studies have longitudinally assessed the potential long-term impacts of circadian disruptions during adolescence. Here, we will review the evidence that disruptions in circadian rhythmicity during adolescence have effects that persist into adulthood. As biological and social time often conflict in modern society, with school start times misaligned with adolescents' endogenous rhythms, it is critical to understand the long-term impacts of disrupted circadian rhythmicity in adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gretchen C Pifer
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Nicole C Ferrara
- Center for Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Discipline of Physiology and Biophysics, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Janine L Kwapis
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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2
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Sogawa R, Ono F, Terao M, Nagano S, Kawabe J, Node K, Akashi M. Correlation Analysis Between Time Awareness and Morningness-Eveningness Preference. J Circadian Rhythms 2023; 21:2. [PMID: 37842163 PMCID: PMC10573578 DOI: 10.5334/jcr.225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The circadian clock is adjusted by light inputs via the retinohypothalamic tract. Because environmental light is controllable for modern humans at the individual's preference although under social schedules, individual differences in time-related psychology and behavior may be associated with morningness-eveningness preference (M-E preference). To examine this hypothesis, we used the Time Management Scale and Time Anxiety Scale to quantify time-related psychology and behavior. These scales aim to evaluate "awareness of effective time management and utilization" and "anxiety about uncontrollable time schedule and unexpected time-related outcome", respectively. According to our correlation analysis using mid-sleep time as a marker for M-E preference, we obtained results supporting our hypothesis in the correlation between the M-E preference values and the Time Management Scale scores, with larger "time estimation" and "taking each moment as it comes" scores associated with more morningness and eveningness, respectively. Considering that modern humans likely become night owls under artificial light conditions, it appears plausible that lower awareness of time management leads to more eveningness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reimi Sogawa
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Hospital, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kitaku, Okayama, Japan
| | - Fuminori Ono
- Faculty of Education, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
- The Research Institute for Time Studies, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Masahiko Terao
- The Research Institute for Time Studies, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Shunta Nagano
- Faculty of Education, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Junko Kawabe
- The Research Institute for Time Studies, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Koichi Node
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Saga University, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga, Saga, Japan
| | - Makoto Akashi
- The Research Institute for Time Studies, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
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3
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Palm D, Uzoni A, Kronenberg G, Thome J, Faltraco F. Human Derived Dermal Fibroblasts as in Vitro Research Tool to Study Circadian Rhythmicity in Psychiatric Disorders. PHARMACOPSYCHIATRY 2023; 56:87-100. [PMID: 37187177 DOI: 10.1055/a-1147-1552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
A number of psychiatric disorders are defined by persistent or recurrent sleep-wake disturbances alongside disruptions in circadian rhythm and altered clock gene expression. Circadian rhythms are present not only in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus but also in peripheral tissues. In this respect, cultures of human derived dermal fibroblasts may serve as a promising new tool to investigate cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of mental illness. In this article, we discuss the advantages of fibroblast cultures to study psychiatric disease. More specifically, we provide an update on recent advances in modeling circadian rhythm disorders using human fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Palm
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Adriana Uzoni
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Golo Kronenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Johannes Thome
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Frank Faltraco
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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4
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Pfeffer M, von Gall C, Wicht H, Korf HW. The Role of the Melatoninergic System in Circadian and Seasonal Rhythms—Insights From Different Mouse Strains. Front Physiol 2022; 13:883637. [PMID: 35492605 PMCID: PMC9039042 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.883637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The melatoninergic system comprises the neurohormone melatonin and its molecular targets. The major source of melatonin is the pineal organ where melatonin is rhythmically produced during darkness. In mammals, melatonin biosynthesis is controlled by the central circadian rhythm generator in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and photoreceptors in the retina. Melatonin elicits its function principally through two specific receptors called MT1 and MT2. MT1 is highly expressed in the SCN and the hypophysial pars tuberalis (PT), an important interface for control of seasonal functions. The expression of the MT2 is more widespread. The role of the melatoninergic system in the control of seasonal functions, such as reproduction, has been known for more than 4 decades, but investigations on its impact on the circadian system under normal (entrained) conditions started 2 decades later by comparing mouse strains with a fully functional melatoninergic system with mouse strains which either produce insufficient amounts of melatonin or lack the melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2. These studies revealed that an intact melatoninergic system is not required for the generation or maintenance of rhythmic behavior under physiological entrained conditions. As shown by jet lag experiments, the melatoninergic system facilitated faster re-entrainment of locomotor activity accompanied by a more rapid adaptation of the molecular clock work in the SCN. This action depended on MT2. Further studies indicated that the endogenous melatoninergic system stabilizes the locomotor activity under entrained conditions. Notably, these effects of the endogenous melatoninergic system are subtle, suggesting that other signals such as corticosterone or temperature contribute to the synchronization of locomotor activity. Outdoor experiments lasting for a whole year indicate a seasonal plasticity of the chronotype which depends on the melatoninergic system. The comparison between mice with an intact or a compromised melatoninergic system also points toward an impact of this system on sleep, memory and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Pfeffer
- Institute of Anatomy II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- *Correspondence: Martina Pfeffer,
| | - Charlotte von Gall
- Institute of Anatomy II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Helmut Wicht
- Dr. Senckenbergische Anatomie II, Fachbereich Medizin der Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Horst-Werner Korf
- Institute of Anatomy I, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
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5
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Barazi N, Polidovitch N, Debi R, Yakobov S, Lakin R, Backx PH. Dissecting the Roles of the Autonomic Nervous System and Physical Activity on Circadian Heart Rate Fluctuations in Mice. Front Physiol 2021; 12:692247. [PMID: 34733171 PMCID: PMC8558381 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.692247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure as well as adverse cardiovascular events show clear circadian patterns, which are linked to interdependent daily variations in physical activity and cardiac autonomic nerve system (ANS) activity. We set out to assess the relative contributions of the ANS (alone) and physical activity to circadian HR fluctuations. To do so, we measured HR (beats per minute, bpm) in mice that were either immobilized using isoflurane anesthesia or free-moving. Nonlinear fits of HR data to sine functions revealed that anesthetized mice display brisk circadian HR fluctuations with amplitudes of 47.1±7.4bpm with the highest HRs in middle of the dark (active) period (ZT 18: 589±46bpm) and lowest HRs in the middle of the light (rest) period (ZT 6: 497±54bpm). The circadian HR fluctuations were reduced by ~70% following blockade of cardiac parasympathetic nervous activity (PNA) with atropine while declining by <15% following cardiac sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) blockade with propranolol. Small HR fluctuation amplitudes (11.6±5.9bpm) remained after complete cardiac ANS blockade. Remarkably, circadian HR fluctuation amplitudes in freely moving, telemetrized mice were only ~32% larger than in anesthetized mice. However, after gaining access to running wheels for 1week, circadian HR fluctuations increase to 102.9±12.1bpm and this is linked directly to increased O2 consumption during running. We conclude that, independent of physical activity, the ANS is a major determinant of circadian HR variations with PNA playing a dominant role compared to SNA. The effects of physical activity to the daily HR variations are remarkably small unless mice get access to running wheels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nour Barazi
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Ryan Debi
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Simona Yakobov
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Lakin
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Peter H Backx
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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6
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Hassan SA, Ali AAH, Yassine M, Sohn D, Pfeffer M, Jänicke RU, Korf HW, von Gall C. Relationship between locomotor activity rhythm and corticosterone levels during HCC development, progression, and treatment in a mouse model. J Pineal Res 2021; 70:e12724. [PMID: 33615553 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and stress are common symptoms in cancer patients and represent early side effects of cancer treatment which affect the life quality of the patients. CRF may partly depend on disruption of the circadian rhythm. Locomotor activity and corticosterone rhythms are two important circadian outputs which can be used to analyze possible effects on the circadian function during cancer development and treatment. The present study analyzes the relationship between locomotor activity rhythm, corticosterone levels, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, and radiotherapy treatment in a mouse model. HCC was induced in mice by single injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and chronic treatment of phenobarbital in drinking water. Another group received chronic phenobarbital treatment only. Tumor bearing animals were divided randomly into four groups irradiated at four different Zeitgeber time points. Spontaneous locomotor activity was recorded continuously; serum corticosterone levels and p-ERK immunoreaction in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) were investigated. Phenobarbital treated mice showed damped corticosterone levels and a less stable 24 hours activity rhythm as well as an increase in activity during the light phase, reminiscent of sleep disruption. The tumor mice showed an increase in corticosterone level during the inactive phase and decreased activity during the dark phase, reminiscent of CRF. After irradiation, corticosterone levels were further increased and locomotor activity rhythms were disrupted. Lowest corticosterone levels were observed after irradiation during the early light phase; thus, this time might be the best to apply radiotherapy in order to minimize side effects.
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MESH Headings
- Activity Cycles
- Animals
- Behavior, Animal
- Biomarkers/blood
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/blood
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/chemically induced
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/physiopathology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/radiotherapy
- Chronotherapy
- Circadian Rhythm
- Corticosterone/blood
- Diethylnitrosamine
- Disease Progression
- Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism
- Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/blood
- Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/chemically induced
- Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/physiopathology
- Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/radiotherapy
- Locomotion
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Period Circadian Proteins/genetics
- Phenobarbital
- Phosphorylation
- Suprachiasmatic Nucleus/metabolism
- Suprachiasmatic Nucleus/physiopathology
- Time Factors
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Soha A Hassan
- Institute of Anatomy II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez University, Suez, Egypt
| | - Amira A H Ali
- Institute of Anatomy II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Mona Yassine
- Institute of Anatomy II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Dennis Sohn
- Laboratory of Molecular Radiooncology, Clinic and Policlinic for Radiation Therapy and Radiooncology, Medical Faculty of Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Martina Pfeffer
- Institute of Anatomy II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Reiner U Jänicke
- Laboratory of Molecular Radiooncology, Clinic and Policlinic for Radiation Therapy and Radiooncology, Medical Faculty of Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Horst-Werner Korf
- Institute of Anatomy I, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Charlotte von Gall
- Institute of Anatomy II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
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7
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Schmal C, Herzel H, Myung J. Clocks in the Wild: Entrainment to Natural Light. Front Physiol 2020; 11:272. [PMID: 32300307 PMCID: PMC7142224 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Entrainment denotes a process of coordinating the internal circadian clock to external rhythmic time-cues (Zeitgeber), mainly light. It is facilitated by stronger Zeitgeber signals and smaller period differences between the internal clock and the external Zeitgeber. The phase of entrainment ψ is a result of this process on the side of the circadian clock. On Earth, the period of the day-night cycle is fixed to 24 h, while the periods of circadian clocks distribute widely due to natural variation within and between species. The strength and duration of light depend locally on season and geographic latitude. Therefore, entrainment characteristics of a circadian clock vary under a local light environment and distribute along geoecological settings. Using conceptual models of circadian clocks, we investigate how local conditions of natural light shape global patterning of entrainment through seasons. This clock-side entrainment paradigm enables us to predict systematic changes in the global distribution of chronotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Schmal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hanspeter Herzel
- Department Basic Sciences, Institute for Theoretical Biology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jihwan Myung
- Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain, and Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Brain and Consciousness Research Centre, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Computational Neuroscience Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
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8
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Ali AAH, Tundo-Lavalle F, Hassan SA, Pfeffer M, Stahr A, von Gall C. Impact of Targeted Deletion of the Circadian Clock Gene Bmal1 in Excitatory Forebrain Neurons on Adult Neurogenesis and Olfactory Function. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1394. [PMID: 32092990 PMCID: PMC7073072 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The circadian system is an endogenous timekeeping system that synchronizes physiology and behavior with the 24 h solar day. Mice with total deletion of the core circadian clock gene Bmal1 show circadian arrhythmicity, cognitive deficits, and accelerated age-dependent decline in adult neurogenesis as a consequence of increased oxidative stress. However, it is not yet known if the impaired adult neurogenesis is due to circadian disruption or to loss of the Bmal1 gene function. Therefore, we investigated oxidative stress and adult neurogenesis of the two principle neurogenic niches, the hippocampal subgranular zone and the subventricular zone in mice with a forebrain specific deletion of Bmal1 (Bmal1 fKO), which show regular circadian rhythmicity. Moreover, we analyzed the morphology of the olfactory bulb, as well as olfactory function in Bmal1 fKO mice. In Bmal1 fKO mice, oxidative stress was increased in subregions of the hippocampus and the olfactory bulb but not in the neurogenic niches. Consistently, adult neurogenesis was not affected in Bmal1 fKO mice. Although Reelin expression in the olfactory bulb was higher in Bmal1 fKO mice as compared to wildtype mice (Bmal1 WT), the olfactory function was not affected. Taken together, the targeted deletion of Bmal1 in mouse forebrain neurons is associated with a regional increase in oxidative stress and increased Reelin expression in the olfactory bulb but does not affect adult neurogenesis or olfactory function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira A. H. Ali
- Institute of Anatomy II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Merowinger Platz 1a, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (A.A.H.A.); (F.T.-L.); (S.A.H.); (M.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Federica Tundo-Lavalle
- Institute of Anatomy II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Merowinger Platz 1a, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (A.A.H.A.); (F.T.-L.); (S.A.H.); (M.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Soha A. Hassan
- Institute of Anatomy II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Merowinger Platz 1a, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (A.A.H.A.); (F.T.-L.); (S.A.H.); (M.P.); (A.S.)
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez University, Suez 43111, Egypt
| | - Martina Pfeffer
- Institute of Anatomy II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Merowinger Platz 1a, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (A.A.H.A.); (F.T.-L.); (S.A.H.); (M.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Anna Stahr
- Institute of Anatomy II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Merowinger Platz 1a, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (A.A.H.A.); (F.T.-L.); (S.A.H.); (M.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Charlotte von Gall
- Institute of Anatomy II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Merowinger Platz 1a, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (A.A.H.A.); (F.T.-L.); (S.A.H.); (M.P.); (A.S.)
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9
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Duglan D, Lamia KA. Clocking In, Working Out: Circadian Regulation of Exercise Physiology. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2019; 30:347-356. [PMID: 31054802 PMCID: PMC6545246 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Research over the past century indicates that the daily timing of physical activity impacts on both immediate performance and long-term training efficacy. Recently, several molecular connections between circadian clocks and exercise physiology have been identified. Circadian clocks are protein-based oscillators that enable anticipation of daily environmental cycles. Cell-autonomous clocks are present in almost all cells of the body, and their timing is set by a variety of internal and external signals, including hormones and dietary intake. Improved understanding of the relationship between molecular clocks and exercise will benefit professional athletes and public health guidelines for the general population. We discuss here the role of circadian clocks in exercise, and explore time-of-day effects and the proposed molecular and physiological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew Duglan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Katja A Lamia
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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10
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Wassmer T, Refinetti R. Individual Daily and Seasonal Activity Patterns in Fox Squirrels (Sciurus niger) Quantified by Temperature-Sensitive Data Loggers. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
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11
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Refinetti R, Earle G, Kenagy G. Exploring determinants of behavioral chronotype in a diurnal-rodent model of human physiology. Physiol Behav 2019; 199:146-153. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2018] [Revised: 10/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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12
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Pfeffer M, Korf HW, Wicht H. Synchronizing effects of melatonin on diurnal and circadian rhythms. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2018; 258:215-221. [PMID: 28533170 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
In mammals, the rhythmic secretion of melatonin from the pineal gland is driven by the circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus. The robust nightly peak of melatonin secretion is an output signal of the circadian clock and is supposed to deliver the circadian message to the whole of the organism. Since the circadian system regulates many behavioral and physiological processes, its disruption by external (shift-work, jet-lag) or internal desynchronization (blindness, aging) causes many different health problems. Externally applied melatonin is used in humans as a chronobiotic drug to treat desynchronization and circadian disorders, and the success of these treatments does, at first glance, underline the supposed pivotal role of melatonin in the synchronization of the circadian system. On the other hand, pinealectomy in experimental animals and humans does not abolish their rhythms of rest and activity. Furthermore, mice with deficient melatoninergic systems neither display overt defects in their rhythmic behavior nor do they show obvious signs of disease susceptibility, let alone premature mortality. During the last years, our laboratory has investigated several mouse stains with intact or compromised internal melatonin signaling systems in order to better understand the physiological role of the melatoninergic system. These and other investigations which will be reviewed in the present contribution confirm the synchronizing effect of endogenous melatonin and the melatoninergic system. However, these effects are subtle. Thus melatonin does not appear as the master of internal synchronization, but as one component in a cocktail of synchronizing agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Pfeffer
- Dr. Senckenbergische Anatomie II, Fachbereich Medizin, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Dr. Senckenbergisches Chronomedizinisches Institut, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Horst-Werner Korf
- Dr. Senckenbergische Anatomie II, Fachbereich Medizin, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Dr. Senckenbergisches Chronomedizinisches Institut, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Helmut Wicht
- Dr. Senckenbergische Anatomie II, Fachbereich Medizin, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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13
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Helm B, Visser ME, Schwartz W, Kronfeld-Schor N, Gerkema M, Piersma T, Bloch G. Two sides of a coin: ecological and chronobiological perspectives of timing in the wild. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2017; 372:20160246. [PMID: 28993490 PMCID: PMC5647273 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Most processes within organisms, and most interactions between organisms and their environment, have distinct time profiles. The temporal coordination of such processes is crucial across levels of biological organization, but disciplines differ widely in their approaches to study timing. Such differences are accentuated between ecologists, who are centrally concerned with a holistic view of an organism in relation to its external environment, and chronobiologists, who emphasize internal timekeeping within an organism and the mechanisms of its adjustment to the environment. We argue that ecological and chronobiological perspectives are complementary, and that studies at the intersection will enable both fields to jointly overcome obstacles that currently hinder progress. However, to achieve this integration, we first have to cross some conceptual barriers, clarifying prohibitively inaccessible terminologies. We critically assess main assumptions and concepts in either field, as well as their common interests. Both approaches intersect in their need to understand the extent and regulation of temporal plasticity, and in the concept of 'chronotype', i.e. the characteristic temporal properties of individuals which are the targets of natural and sexual selection. We then highlight promising developments, point out open questions, acknowledge difficulties and propose directions for further integration of ecological and chronobiological perspectives through Wild Clock research.This article is part of the themed issue 'Wild Clocks: integrating chronobiology and ecology to understand timekeeping in free-living animals'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Helm
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G128QQ, UK
| | - Marcel E Visser
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), PO 50, 6700 AB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - William Schwartz
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA, USA
| | | | - Menno Gerkema
- Chronobiology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Theunis Piersma
- NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Coastal Systems and Utrecht University, 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Guy Bloch
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, The A. Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
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Pfeffer M, Korf HW, Wicht H. The Role of the Melatoninergic System in Light-Entrained Behavior of Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18030530. [PMID: 28257037 PMCID: PMC5372546 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18030530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Revised: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of endogenous melatonin for the control of the circadian system under entrained conditions and for the determination of the chronotype is still poorly understood. Mice with deletions in the melatoninergic system (melatonin deficiency or the lack of melatonin receptors, respectively) do not display any obvious defects in either their spontaneous (circadian) or entrained (diurnal) rhythmic behavior. However, there are effects that can be detected by analyzing the periodicity of the locomotor behaviors in some detail. We found that melatonin-deficient mice (C57Bl), as well as melatonin-proficient C3H mice that lack the melatonin receptors (MT) 1 and 2 (C3H MT1,2 KO), reproduce their diurnal locomotor rhythms with significantly less accuracy than mice with an intact melatoninergic system. However, their respective chronotypes remained unaltered. These results show that one function of the endogenous melatoninergic system might be to stabilize internal rhythms under conditions of a steady entrainment, while it has no effects on the chronotype.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Behavior, Animal
- Circadian Rhythm
- Light
- Male
- Melatonin/biosynthesis
- Melatonin/deficiency
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- Motor Activity
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT1/deficiency
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT1/genetics
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT1/metabolism
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT2/deficiency
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT2/genetics
- Receptor, Melatonin, MT2/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Pfeffer
- Dr. Senckenbergische Anatomie II, Fachbereich Medizin, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Dr. Senckenbergisches Chronomedizinisches Institut, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Horst-Werner Korf
- Dr. Senckenbergische Anatomie II, Fachbereich Medizin, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Dr. Senckenbergisches Chronomedizinisches Institut, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Helmut Wicht
- Dr. Senckenbergische Anatomie II, Fachbereich Medizin, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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15
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Refinetti R, Wassmer T, Basu P, Cherukalady R, Pandey VK, Singaravel M, Giannetto C, Piccione G. Variability of behavioral chronotypes of 16 mammalian species under controlled conditions. Physiol Behav 2016; 161:53-59. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2016] [Revised: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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16
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Nikhil KL, Abhilash L, Sharma VK. Molecular Correlates of Circadian Clocks in Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster Populations Exhibiting early and late Emergence Chronotypes. J Biol Rhythms 2016; 31:125-41. [PMID: 26833082 DOI: 10.1177/0748730415627933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Although association of circadian clock properties with the timing of rhythmic behaviors (chronotype) has been extensively documented over several decades, recent studies on mice and Drosophila have failed to observe such associations. In addition, studies on human populations that examined effects of clock gene mutations/polymorphisms on chronotypes have revealed disparate and often contradictory results, thereby highlighting the need for a suitable model organism to study circadian clocks' role in chronotype regulation, the lack of which has hindered exploration of the underlying molecular-genetic bases. We used a laboratory selection approach to raise populations of Drosophila melanogaster that emerge in the morning (early) or in the evening (late), and over 14 years of continued selection, we report clear divergence of their circadian phenotypes. We also assessed the molecular correlates of early and late emergence chronotypes and report significant divergence in transcriptional regulation, including the mean phase, amplitude and levels of period (per), timeless (tim), clock (clk) and vrille (vri) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. Corroborating some of the previously reported light-sensitivity and oscillator network coupling differences between the early and the late populations, we also report differences in mRNA expression of the circadian photoreceptor cryptochrome (cry) and in the mean phase, amplitude and levels of the neuropeptide pigment-dispersing factor (PDF). These results provide the first-ever direct evidence for divergent evolution of molecular circadian clocks in response to selection imposed on an overt rhythmic behavior and highlight early and late populations as potential models for chronotype studies by providing a preliminary groundwork for further exploration of molecular-genetic correlates underlying circadian clock-chronotype association.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lakshman Abhilash
- Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, India
| | - Vijay Kumar Sharma
- Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, India /
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17
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Nikhil KL, Vaze KM, Sharma VK. Late emergence chronotypes of fruit fliesDrosophila melanogasterexhibit higher accuracy of entrainment. Chronobiol Int 2015; 32:1477-85. [DOI: 10.3109/07420528.2015.1105251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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