A rhythmic placenta? Circadian variation, clock genes and placental function.

摘要: Physiological rhythms entrained by the circadian clock are present in virtually all organs including those of reproductive system. In mammals, timing is driven a ‘master clock’ suprachiasmatic nucleus that influences peripheral tissue clocks via endocrine, autonomic and behavioral cues. The molecular machinery comprises network ‘clock’ genes, namely Clock, Bmal1, Per1, Per2, Per3, Cry1 Cry2. These genes generate endogenous oscillations drive rhythmic expression downstream thus physiological processes. Importantly, disturbances gene implicated range pathologies cancer obesity. recent recognition expressed placenta, together with observations linking disruption compromised placental function, suggests variation may be an important component normal phenotype. this review we consider possibility context maternal physiology pregnancy. While there good evidence for several rodent conventional transcriptional-translational feedback loops appear less robust coordinated. Further study needed to elucidate function across gestation among different species, particularly which greater development occurs utero. Such studies will likely provide insights into pathology.