Molecular Reset Button For Circadian Rhythm

            A team of international scientist found a molecular rest button for the circadian rhythm in the body. The research of the international scientists was led by McGill and Concordia Univeristy in Montreal. It showed that phosphorylation of a key protein in the brain, when stimulated by light, synthesizes Period Proteins. These specific proteins are important in clock resetting and coordinating the clock’s rhythm with everyday environmental cycles. This target can be used to treat a wide variety of disorders, including sleep disturbances with jet lag, shift work and exposure to light at night, behavioral abnormalities, metabolic rates, depression and autism. Dr. Cavanaugh, an established research now teaching at Loyola University Chicago, recently conducted a seminar, in which he explained his research on circadian rhythms in Drosophila. He emphasized that although the molecular component of the internal clock has been relevantly identified, the output pathways and the mechanisms that couple clock cells to relay information, as behavior is not identified yet. 

            The McGill researchers mutated eIF43, a protein found in lab mouse, making it so it does not phosphorylates. Since the mice are very similar in protein functions to mammals, this study gives a clear idea as to the result of lesion at the Period Proteins an its effects on humans. When the mice were put on running wheels, the mutants mice that where not phosphorylated responded less efficiently than normal mice to the resetting effect of light. The mutant mice could not synchronize their circadian rhythm to the series of challenging light/dark cycles. This proves that eIF43 and Period Proteins are important at resetting the circadian clock.

            When comparing with Dr. Cavanaugh’s results from his research, it seems that mice study on period proteins were similar in that they both focus on the long-term effects as outputs. The difference though is that Period Protein study is only one of the initial steps to completely understanding our internal clocks. As Stuart Firestein emphasized in his book, Ignorance, we must not be afraid of questions. The questions left after the research is what progresses science. Many questions are arised from the research of resetting button for circadian rhythms, such as how these specific proteins affect the effectiveness of medicines, metabolic rates, and more. Any further research can help thousands of people suffering from imbalanced circadian clocks, jet lags, metabolism, and many more cognitive/behavioral issues.

Cavanaugh D., Geratowksi J., Wooltorton J., Spaethling J., Hector C., Zheng X., Johnson E., Eberwine J., Sehgal A. Identification of a circadian output circuit for rest:activity rhythms in Drosophila. 24 April 2014. 689-701

Mcgill University. “Discovery Of Molecular Reset Button For Internal Body Clock Could Help Treat Different Disorders.” News Medical – Life Sciences & Medicine. 28 Apr. 2015. Web. <http://www.news-medical.net/news/20150428/Discovery-of-molecular-reset-button-for-internal-body-clock-could-help-treat-different-disorders.aspx>

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