Author
Young, Martin |
Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2006 Publication Date: 6/1/2006 Citation: Young, M.E. 2006. Intrinsic circadian rhythms in the cardiomyocyte [abstract]. 28th Annual International Society for Heart Research. p. 2. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: The cardiomyocyte possesses a fully functional circadian clock. Circadian clocks are a set of proteins that generate self-sustained transcriptional positive and negative feedback loops with a free-running period of 24 hours. These intracellular molecular mechanisms confer the selective advantage of anticipation, allowing synchronization of the cell with its environment. We have recently characterized the circadian clock within adult rat cardiomyocytes (ARCs), showing that 24-hr oscillations in circadian clock genes persist in cultured ARCs. Through the use of both cultured ARCs, as well as a novel cardiomyocyte-specific circadian clock impaired mouse model, we have begun to identify those genes (and in turn those processes) regulated directly by the circadian clock within the cardiomyocyte. These studies not only shed light on the physiological roles of the circadian clock within the cardiomyocyte, but will provide novel insight into the consequences of impairment of this molecular mechanism, in terms of cardiovascular disease development. |