Why is the circadian clock important? 2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

Transcript

professor Oliver them share the Nobel Committee could you describe to us what is circadian rhythm so circadian it writes Trumble actin so circuits around and day is babe and this is the daily rhythm we have to anticipate and adapt to the dramatically different conditions during day and night that arise from the rotation of the earth the three laure... Read More

Summary

In this video, Professor Oliver describes the circadian rhythm and the groundbreaking discoveries made by the three Nobel laureates in the field. They solved the problem of understanding circadian rhythms and identified the mechanism that controls the clock. The circadian rhythm is important for anticipating and adapting to the daily changes in conditions during day and night, providing an advantage in evolutionary terms. The laureates used the fruit fly as a model system to study the function of genes involved in the circadian rhythm. The circadian clock is found in most cells of our body and is regulated by an auto regulatory self-sustained inhibitory feedback mechanism.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the circadian rhythm?

The circadian rhythm is the 24-hour cycle that regulates biological processes in living organisms. It allows organisms to anticipate and adapt to the different conditions that arise from the rotation of the Earth.

Q: What problem did the Nobel laureates solve?

The existence of diurnal or circadian rhythms was known, but the mechanism behind them was not understood. There was a debate whether it was a response to external signals or something endogenous. The laureates discovered the mechanism that controls the machinery of the circadian clock.

Q: What were the key findings of the laureates?

The laureates used the fruit fly as a model system and built upon previous experiments that identified mutants with abnormal circadian rhythms. They isolated the gene responsible for the rhythm and conducted experiments to understand its function. They also discovered that the circadian clock operates through an auto regulatory self-sustained inhibitory feedback mechanism.

Q: Why is circadian rhythm important?

The circadian rhythm is important because it allows organisms to anticipate and adapt to the daily changes in conditions. It helps in being active during the day and enables other processes to take place during the night. Evolutionarily, it has provided an advantage in terms of being prepared and taking advantage of critical daylight hours.

Q: Is the circadian clock present in all cells?

Yes, the circadian clock is present in most cells of our body. It was previously known that there is a central clock in the brain, but the laureates' discoveries showed that it also exists in other parts of the body.

Q: Can you explain the mechanism of the circadian clock in simpler terms?

The circadian clock can be compared to an oscillator, like an hourglass. It builds up a substance that, when present, turns off its own production, creating an oscillation. This self-sustained, autonomous mechanism regulates the clock.

Q: What is the field of chronobiology and chrono medicine?

Chronobiology and chrono medicine are fields that explore the study of biological rhythms and their implications for health. They are rapidly expanding areas of research, but in humans, most evidence so far is based on correlations rather than firm evidence for the circadian clock's impact on specific diseases.

Q: Are there any known implications of the circadian clock on disease?

Sleep phase disorders, caused by mutations in core clock genes, are solid examples of the circadian clock's impact on disease. Jet lag, although not a disease itself, indicates that when our inner clock is misaligned with the environment, we feel bad. However, apart from these examples, most findings in humans are still correlations and require further research.

Q: How complex is the circadian clock's machinery?

The core machinery of the circadian clock is more complex than initially believed. There are interconnected loops, mechanisms for entrainment to adjust the clock, and output mechanisms that control other genes. The system is dynamic, and researchers are continuously learning more about its complexity.

Q: Who are the three Nobel laureates?

The three Nobel laureates in the field of circadian rhythm are Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael W. Young. They are all Americans and have made significant contributions to the understanding of the circadian clock mechanism.

Takeaways

The Nobel laureates' discoveries in the field of circadian rhythm have provided a molecular understanding of a fundamental biological mechanism. The circadian rhythm explains how living organisms adapt to the rotation of the Earth and anticipate daily changes. This discovery has opened up numerous questions and avenues for further research in chronobiology and chrono medicine. Understanding the circadian clock mechanism offers potential insights into the impact of lifestyle and misalignments on disease. Overall, the laureates' work has shed light on a crucial aspect of human biology.