Pancreatic b cell enhancers regulate rhythmic transcription of genes controlling insulin secretion

Mark Perelis, Biliana Marcheva, Kathryn Moynihan Ramsey, Matthew J. Schipma, Alan L. Hutchison, Akihiko Taguchi, Clara Bien Peek, Heekyung Hong, Wenyu Huang, Chiaki Omura, Amanda L. Allred, Christopher A. Bradfield, Aaron R. Dinner, Grant D. Barish, Joseph Bass*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

244 Scopus citations

Abstract

The mammalian transcription factors CLOCK and BMAL1 are essential components of the molecular clock that coordinate behavior and metabolism with the solar cycle. Genetic or environmental perturbation of circadian cycles contributes to metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes. To study the impact of the cell-Autonomous clock on pancreatic b cell function, we examined pancreatic islets from mice with either intact or disrupted BMAL1 expression both throughout life and limited to adulthood. We found pronounced oscillation of insulin secretion that was synchronized with the expression of genes encoding secretory machinery and signaling factors that regulate insulin release. CLOCK/ BMAL1 colocalized with the pancreatic transcription factor PDX1 within active enhancers distinct from those controlling rhythmic metabolic gene networks in liver. We also found that b cell clock ablation in adult mice caused severe glucose intolerance. Thus, cell type-specific enhancers underlie the circadian control of peripheral metabolism throughout life and may help to explain its dysregulation in diabetes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
JournalScience
Volume350
Issue number6261
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 6 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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