Removing Bmal1 in brown fat cells causes slight but clear reduction in heat production in mice

Complete disruption of the brown adipose tissue clock gene Bmal1 in mice led to a mild reduction in whole-body energy expenditure.

• Mice lacking the Bmal1 gene in brown fat maintained normal body temperatures through increased shivering and activity.
• Disruption of the BAT clock altered the 24-hour pattern of fatty acid use in the tissue.
• The brown adipose tissue clock may play a role in regulating thermogenesis and energy balance.
• The effects on obesity became more pronounced when the mice were given a high-fat diet.

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