Hepatic Bmal1 Regulates Rhythmic Mitochondrial Dynamics and Promotes Metabolic Fitness

Loss of Bmal1 in mice leads to swollen mitochondria that struggle to adapt to nutrient changes.

• Mitochondria in mouse liver undergo changes in response to feeding and fasting, regulated by the circadian gene Bmal1.
• Bmal1 regulates mitochondrial dynamics, including fission and the process of removing damaged mitochondria, as well as their production.
• A lack of Bmal1 results in decreased respiration rates and increased oxidative stress in liver cells.
• Mice without Bmal1 in the liver accumulate oxidative damage and develop insulin resistance.
• Restoring Bmal1 activity in mice fed a high-fat diet improves their metabolic health.
• The Bmal1-related gene AHA-1 in C. elegans can influence oxidative metabolism and lifespan, despite not being regulated by circadian rhythms.

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