REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ function as key factors regulating Mammalian Circadian Output

Sci Rep. 2019 Jul 15;9(1):10171. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-46656-0.

Abstract

The circadian clock regulates behavioural and physiological processes in a 24-h cycle. The nuclear receptors REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ are involved in the cell-autonomous circadian transcriptional/translational feedback loops as transcriptional repressors. A number of studies have also demonstrated a pivotal role of REV-ERBs in regulation of metabolic, neuronal, and inflammatory functions including bile acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and production of inflammatory cytokines. Given the multifunctional role of REV-ERBs, it is important to elucidate the mechanism through which REV-ERBs exert their functions. To this end, we established a Rev-erbα/Rev-erbβ double-knockout mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell model and analyzed the circadian clock and clock-controlled output gene expressions. A comprehensive mRNA-seq analysis revealed that the double knockout of both Rev-erbα and Rev-erbβ does not abrogate expression rhythms of E-box-regulated core clock genes but drastically changes a diverse set of other rhythmically-expressed output genes. Of note, REV-ERBα/β deficiency does not compromise circadian expression rhythms of PER2, while REV-ERB target genes, Bmal1 and Npas2, are significantly upregulated. This study highlight the relevance of REV-ERBs as pivotal output mediators of the mammalian circadian clock.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Circadian Clocks / genetics*
  • Circadian Clocks / physiology
  • Circadian Rhythm / genetics
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / physiology
  • Gene Expression / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • Mammals / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group D, Member 1 / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group D, Member 1 / physiology
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / physiology
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Repressor Proteins / physiology
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcriptional Activation / genetics

Substances

  • Nr1d2 protein, mouse
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group D, Member 1
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Transcription Factors