Chemical study of the standard model for the mammal’s daily biological clock

CLOCK:BMAL1 binds to an E-box sequence in DNA, while CRY binds stably to the CLOCK:BMAL1:E-box complex independently of PER.

• CRY and PER proteins interact with CLOCK and BMAL1 off DNA but have different binding behaviors with the CLOCK:BMAL1:E-box complex.
• PER interferes with CRY's binding to the CLOCK:BMAL1:E-box ternary complex.
• CRY may destabilize the CLOCK:BMAL1 heterodimer on DNA through a post-translational mechanism after binding.
• Findings indicate that while some aspects of the canonical circadian clock model are supported, key features may need revision.

Simplified