Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology Seminar
Anna-Marie Finger
Circadian clocks are endogenous biochemical oscillators that drive biological rhythms and are synchronized with solar time. Intercellular communication (“coupling”) between cell-autonomous circadian oscillators is crucial to maintain synchronized rhythms on the tissue level and the optimal temporal regulation of biological tissue functions. While mechanisms of neuronal coupling within the mammalian central clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, are well described, coupling among peripheral oscillators is controversial and the molecular mechanisms are unknown. Using 2- and 3-dimensional mammalian culture models in vitro and ex vivo, they show that peripheral oscillators couple via paracrine pathways. They then identify transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) as a peripheral coupling factor that mediates paracrine phase adjustment of molecular clocks through transcriptional regulation of core-clock genes. Additionally, disruption of TGF-β signaling causes desynchronization of cellular oscillator ensembles resulting in weakened circadian tissue rhythms and increased sensitivity toward external Zeitgebers. These findings reveal an unknown mechanism for peripheral clock synchrony with implications for rhythmic organ functions and circadian health.
Details
Dates
March 15, 2022Time
8:00-9:00am PDTLocation
OnlineAudience
ScientificContact(s)
The Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology Seminar Series showcases speakers at the intersection of genomic technology and immunology research with an aim to engineer the human immune system for therapeutic benefit. Speakers span technology development, synthetic biology, bioengineering, and the development and clinical application of immunotherapy. These talks are open to the Gladstone and UCSF communities.
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