Mechanisms of Circadian Systems in Animals and Their Clinical Relevance

Well known experts in the field of Chronobiology from around the world, provide an integrative view of the state of the art of circadian biology. At present, genetic and epigenetic interaction of regulatory pathways among circadian oscillators, metabolic networks, cellular differentiation and neuronal communication are subject of intense scrutiny. The book is organized in three sections: The first includes selected examples of the circadian systems of crustaceans, insects, fish, birds and mammals. The second is a detailed view of the physiological mechanisms underlying the circadian clocks in mammals. Finally, in the third section some examples of the relevance of circadian biology and circadian misalignment to health and disease are provided including nutrition and metabolism, obesity, cancer, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, Huntington and affective diseases. This section concludes with a brief review on gene therapy and its potential use as a therapeutic tool to correct “clock genes” pathologies. This book is aimed at all those interested in contemporary aspects of physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology applied to the study and characterization of timing systems.. It could be used as an initial approach to this field, but it also provides updated information for those already familiar with the fascinating field of Chronobiology. Front Matter....Pages i-xxiv Introduction to Circadian Rhythms, Clocks, and Its Genes....Pages 1-12 Front Matter....Pages 13-13 Oxidative Stress and Its Role in the Synchronization of Circadian Rhythms in Crustaceans: An Ecological Perspective....Pages 15-30 Control of Rest–Activity Behavior by the Central Clock in Drosophila ....Pages 31-53 Biological Rhythmicity in Subterranean Animals: A Function Risking Extinction?....Pages 55-68 Avian Circadian Organization....Pages 69-96 Functional Organization of Circadian Timing System of a Diurnal Primate (Marmoset)....Pages 97-112 Front Matter....Pages 113-113 Intracellular Calcium as a Clock Output from SCN Neurons....Pages 115-132 GABA A Receptor-Mediated Neurotransmission in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus....Pages 133-148 Relevance of Network Organization in SCN Clock Function....Pages 149-175 Behavioral, Physiological, and Neuroendocrine Circadian Rhythms During Lactation....Pages 177-195 A Time to Wake, a Time to Sleep....Pages 197-217 Front Matter....Pages 219-219 Chronostasis: The Timing of Physiological Systems....Pages 221-236 Circadian Rhythm and Food/Nutrition....Pages 237-260 Physiopathology of Circadian Rhythms: Understanding the Biochemical Mechanisms of Obesity and Cancer....Pages 261-287 Effects of Circadian Disruption on Physiology and Pathology: From Bench to Clinic (and Back)....Pages 289-320 Circadian Dysfunction in Huntington’s Disease....Pages 321-338 Is It Possible to Modify Clock Genes to Improve Health?....Pages 339-350 Back Matter....Pages 351-380 Well known experts in the field of Chronobiology from around the world, provide an integrative view of the state of the art of circadian biology. At present, genetic and epigenetic interaction of regulatory pathways among circadian oscillators, metabolic networks, cellular differentiation and neuronal communication are subject of intense scrutiny. The book is organized in three sections: The first includes selected examples of the circadian systems of crustaceans, insects, fish, birds and mammals. The second is a detailed view of the physiological mechanisms underlying the circadian clocks in mammals. Finally, in the third section some examples of the relevance of circadian biology and circadian misalignment to health and disease are provided including nutrition and metabolism, obesity, cancer, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, Huntington and affective diseases. This section concludes with a brief review on gene therapy and its potential use as a therapeutic tool to correct âclock genesâpathologies. This book is aimed at all those interested in contemporary aspects of physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology applied to the study and characterization of timing systems.. It could be used as an initial approach to this field, but it also provides updated information for those already familiar with the fascinating field of Chronobiology Well known experts in the field of Chronobiology from around the world, provide an integrative view of the state of the art of circadian biology. At present, genetic and epigenetic interaction of regulatory pathways among circadian oscillators, metabolic networks, cellular differentiation and neuronal communication are subject of intense scrutiny. The book is organized in three sections: The first includes selected examples of the circadian systems of crustaceans, insects, fish, birds and mammals. The second is a detailed view of the physiological mechanisms underlying the circadian clocks in mammals. Finally, in the third section some examples of the relevance of circadian biology and circadian misalignment to health and disease are provided including nutrition and metabolism, obesity, cancer, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, Huntington and affective diseases. This section concludes with a brief review on gene therapy and its potential use as a therapeutic tool to correct zclock genesy pathologies. This book is aimed at all those interested in contemporary aspects of physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology applied to the study and characterization of timing systems. It could be used as an initial approach to this field, but it also provides updated information for those already familiar with the fascinating field of Chronobiology