Sleep patterns may affect BMAL1 binding in the brain but not in the liver.

BMAL1 binding to target genes in the cerebral cortex loses rhythmicity in 80% of regions following sleep deprivation.

• BMAL1 binds rhythmically to tissue-specific targets, with peak binding occurring 2 to 4 hours later in the cortex compared to the liver.
• The sleep deprivation regimen significantly impacts BMAL1 binding in the cortex more than in other tissues.
• Most rhythmically bound regions in the cortex lose their rhythmicity after sleep deprivation, indicating a strong connection between sleep-wake cycles and BMAL1 activity.
• Analyses suggest that binding dynamics of BMAL1 and other core clock genes are influenced by both circadian and sleep-wake factors.
• Findings indicate a complex interaction between circadian timing and wakefulness that affects core molecular processes involved in gene expression.

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