Bmal1 regulates thermogenic function by modulation of lipolytic and OXPHOS gene expression in male mice brown adipocytes

Knockdown of the core clock gene Bmal1 in brown adipocytes resulted in a marked reduction in both basal and β-adrenergic-stimulated oxygen consumption rate (OCR).

• Impaired thermogenic function was observed in brown adipocytes with Bmal1 knockdown, despite comparable cellular differentiation.
• Bmal1-deficient cells showed decreased protein levels of key lipolytic enzymes, adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL).
• Reduction in multiple mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) subunits was noted, indicating compromised mitochondrial function.
• The findings suggest that the peripheral circadian clock in brown adipocytes is associated with lipid mobilization and mitochondrial oxidative function.
• Disruption of this clock may contribute to decreased energy expenditure and increase the risk of metabolic disorders.

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