Dissecting the functions of the mammalian clock protein BMAL1 by tissue-specific rescue in mice

Science. 2006 Nov 24;314(5803):1304-8. doi: 10.1126/science.1132430.

Abstract

The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH)-Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domain transcription factor BMAL1 is an essential component of the mammalian circadian pacemaker. Bmal1-/- mice lose circadian rhythmicity but also display tendon calcification and decreased activity, body weight, and longevity. To investigate whether these diverse functions of BMAL1 are tissue-specific, we produced transgenic mice that constitutively express Bmal1 in brain or muscle and examined the effects of rescued gene expression in Bmal1-/- mice. Circadian rhythms of wheel-running activity were restored in brain-rescued Bmal1-/- mice in a conditional manner; however, activity levels and body weight were lower than those of wild-type mice. In contrast, muscle-rescued Bmal1-/- mice exhibited normal activity levels and body weight yet remained behaviorally arrhythmic. Thus, Bmal1 has distinct tissue-specific functions that regulate integrative physiology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • ARNTL Transcription Factors
  • Animals
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / physiology*
  • Body Weight
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Calcinosis
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Chromosomes, Artificial, Bacterial
  • Circadian Rhythm*
  • Gene Expression
  • Longevity
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Motor Activity*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Organ Specificity
  • Period Circadian Proteins
  • Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / metabolism
  • Tendons / pathology
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Substances

  • ARNTL Transcription Factors
  • Bmal1 protein, mouse
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Per1 protein, mouse
  • Per2 protein, mouse
  • Period Circadian Proteins
  • Transcription Factors