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Understanding circadian gene function: Animal models of tissue‐specific circadian disruption
Author(s) -
Birky Tana L.,
Bray Molly S.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
iubmb life
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.132
H-Index - 113
eISSN - 1521-6551
pISSN - 1521-6543
DOI - 10.1002/iub.1241
Subject(s) - circadian rhythm , biology , bacterial circadian rhythms , circadian clock , model organism , organism , clock , function (biology) , microbiology and biotechnology , oscillating gene , gene , neuroscience , genetics
Circadian rhythms are the daily patterns that occur within an organism, from gene expression to behavior. These rhythms are governed not only externally by environmental cues but also internally, with cell‐autonomous molecular clock mechanisms present nearly ubiquitously throughout the cells of organisms. In more complex organisms, it has been suggested that the clock mechanisms serve varied functions depending on the tissue in which they are found. By disrupting core circadian gene function in specific tissues of animal models, the various roles of the circadian clock in differing tissues can begin to be defined. This review provides an overview of the model organisms used to elucidate tissue‐specific functions of the molecular circadian clock. © 2014 IUBMB Life, 66(1):34–41, 2014.