A novel protein, CHRONO, functions as a core component of the mammalian circadian clock.

Circadian rhythms are controlled by a system of negative and positive genetic feedback loops composed of clock genes. Although many genes have been implicated in these feedback loops, it is unclear whether our current list of clock genes is exhaustive. We have recently identified Chrono as a robustly cycling transcript through genome-wide profiling of BMAL1 binding on the E-box.

Genome-wide profiling of the core clock protein BMAL1 targets reveals a strict relationship with metabolism.

Circadian rhythms are common to most organisms and govern much of homeostasis and physiology. Since a significant fraction of the mammalian genome is controlled by the clock machinery, understanding the genome-wide signaling and epigenetic basis of circadian gene expression is essential. BMAL1 is a critical circadian transcription factor that regulates genes via E-box elements in their promoters.