The circadian cycle: Daily rhythms from behaviour to genes

TY - JOUR

T1 - The circadian cycle

T2 - Daily rhythms from behaviour to genes

AU - Merrow, Martha

AU - Spoelstra, Kamiel

AU - Roenneberg, Till

PY - 2005/10

Y1 - 2005/10

N2 - The daily recurrence of activity and rest are so common as to seem trivial. However, they reflect a ubiquitous temporal programme called the circadian clock. In the absence of either anatomical clock structures or clock genes, the timing of sleep and wakefulness is disrupted. The complex nature of circadian behaviour is evident in the fact that phasing of the cycle during the day varies widely for individuals, resulting in extremes colloquially called 'larks' and 'owls'. These behavioural oscillations are mirrored in the levels of physiology and gene expression. Deciphering the underlying mechanisms will provide important insights into how the circadian clock affects health and disease.

AB - The daily recurrence of activity and rest are so common as to seem trivial. However, they reflect a ubiquitous temporal programme called the circadian clock. In the absence of either anatomical clock structures or clock genes, the timing of sleep and wakefulness is disrupted. The complex nature of circadian behaviour is evident in the fact that phasing of the cycle during the day varies widely for individuals, resulting in extremes colloquially called 'larks' and 'owls'. These behavioural oscillations are mirrored in the levels of physiology and gene expression. Deciphering the underlying mechanisms will provide important insights into how the circadian clock affects health and disease.

KW - Circadian rythm

KW - Clock

KW - Entrainment

KW - Oscillator

KW - Phase

U2 - 10.1038/sj.embor.7400541

DO - 10.1038/sj.embor.7400541

M3 - Book/Film/Article review

C2 - 16222241

AN - SCOPUS:27344435622

SN - 1469-221X

VL - 6

SP - 930

EP - 935

JO - EMBO Reports

JF - EMBO Reports

IS - 10

ER -