Cell-Autonomous Regulation of Astrocyte Activation by the Circadian Clock Protein BMAL1

The core circadian clock protein BMAL1 regulates astrocyte activation and function in vivo.

• Circadian clock dysfunction may contribute to aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
• Astrocyte activation occurs in response to various brain insults and is crucial for brain health.
• Astrocyte-specific deletion of Bmal1 leads to increased astrocyte activation and inflammatory gene expression.
• This activation is partly linked to reduced signaling through glutathione-S-transferase.
• The loss of Bmal1 in astrocytes is associated with increased neuronal death in laboratory settings.

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