Balance of clock proteins affects strength of daily biological rhythms

The relationship between clock components is critical for the robustness of circadian rhythms.

• Alterations in the expression of clock components in fibroblasts indicate that the balance between positive (CLOCK-BMAL1) and negative (PER-CRY) complexes is important for maintaining circadian rhythms.
• Data from Per2(Luc) and Per mutant mice fibroblasts show that the ratio of these components affects the stability of rhythm generation.
• Findings suggest that certain mutant mice or cells are arrhythmic due to disrupted stoichiometry of clock components.
• Modulating the stoichiometry of clock components could enhance the robustness of circadian rhythms, even in wild-type cells.

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