How internal clocks in different cell types affect metabolism and disease

Circadian clocks influence various physiological functions such as insulin sensitivity and energy homeostasis.

• Circadian clocks are present in almost all cells, with a central clock in the brain's suprachiasmatic nucleus.
• Peripheral clocks are increasingly recognized for their role in whole body energy metabolism.
• Disruption of circadian clocks in mice leads to a wide range of phenotypes that depend on the specific clock component affected and the genetic background.
• Cell-specific effects may contribute to the variability observed in outcomes following clock disruption.
• Current research is focused on developing animal models with specific disruptions to understand the impact of circadian clocks in different tissues.

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