Open AccessMicrogravity influences circadian clock oscillation in human keratinocytes
Author(s) -
Ranieri Danilo,
Cucina Alessandra,
Bizzarri Mariano,
Alimandi Maurizio,
Torrisi Maria Rosaria
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
febs open bio
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.718
H-Index - 31
ISSN - 2211-5463
DOI - 10.1016/j.fob.2015.08.012
Subject(s) - circadian rhythm , oscillation (cell signaling) , clock , biology , circadian clock , microbiology and biotechnology , mechanotransduction , mechanosensitive channels , transcription factor , neuroscience , gene , genetics , ion channel , receptor
Microgravity and sudden changes of gravitational forces exert numerous effects on tissues, organs and apparatus. Responses to these forces variably applied to cells indicate the existence of mechanotransduction pathways able to modulate transcription. Oscillation of circadian clocks similarly influences many cellular and metabolic processes. Here we hypothesized that signals derived from changes of gravitational forces applied to epidermal cells might influence their physiology in harmony with the oscillation of the molecular clock. In this study, we describe amplified oscillations of Bmal1 circadian clock gene in human keratinocytes exposed to short simulated microgravity and to rapid variation of gravitational forces. We found that exposure to microgravity enhances the amplitude of the Bmal1 feedback loop sustained by an apparently lower variability of Rev‐erbα transcription, while recovery from microgravity is characterized by increased amplitude of Bmal1 expression and elongation of the oscillatory periods of Bmal1 and Rev‐erbα. These data highlight the existence of integrated signaling network connecting mechanosensitive pathways to circadian gene regulation.