Fat circadian biology

Abstract

While adipose tissue has long been recognized for its major role in metabolism, it is now appreciated as an endocrine organ. A growing body of literature has emerged that identifies circadian mechanisms as a critical regulator of adipose tissue differentiation, metabolism, and adipokine secretory function in both health and disease. This concise review focuses on recent data from murine and human models that highlights the interplay between the core circadian regulatory proteins and adipose tissue in the context of energy, fat, and glucose metabolism. It will be important to integrate circadian mechanisms and networks into future descriptions of adipose tissue physiology.

Fig. 1.

Putative Consequences of Circadian Expression of Lipoprotein Lipase mRNA. The impact on serum triglyceride clearance that would occur if lipoprotein lipase (LPL) were expressed continually (24 hrs) at constant levels (A); in phase with daytime meal times (B); or out of phase with meal times during the daytime period (C).

Fig. 2.

Network Relationship of CCRP Gene Expression Profiles. (A) The Master-Slave relationship between the CCRP and its downstream target genes with minimal feedback loops. (B) Nodal relationship between the CCRP and its downstream target genes with a focus on rate limiting biochemical or transcriptional steps as intersections and feedback loops.