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Perfect timing: Epigenetic regulation of the circadian clock
Author(s) -
Ripperger Jürgen A.,
Merrow Martha
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2011.04.047
Subject(s) - epigenetics , chromatin , circadian clock , biology , genetics , epigenetic regulation of neurogenesis , histone , circadian rhythm , microbiology and biotechnology , chromatin remodeling , gene , neuroscience
In mammals, higher order chromatin structures are critical for downsizing the genome (packaging) so that the nucleus can be small. The adjustable density of chromatin also regulates gene expression, thus this post‐genetic molecular mechanism is one of the routes by which phenotype is shaped. Phenotypes that arise without a concomitant mutation of the underlying genome are termed epigenetic phenomena. Here we discuss epigenetic phenomena from histone and DNA modification as it pertains to the dynamic regulatory processes of the circadian clock. Epigenetic phenomena certainly explain some regulatory aspects of the mammalian circadian oscillator.