Herzog Erik D
Biology Department, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA.
Nat Rev Neurosci. 2007 Oct;8(10):790-802. doi: 10.1038/nrn2215.
Biological pacemakers dictate our daily schedules in physiology and behaviour. The molecules, cells and networks that underlie these circadian rhythms can now be monitored using long-term cellular imaging and electrophysiological tools, and initial studies have already suggested a theme--circadian clocks may be crucial for widespread changes in brain activity and plasticity. These daily changes can modify the amount or activity of available genes, transcripts, proteins, ions and other biologically active molecules, ultimately determining cellular properties such as excitability and connectivity. Recently discovered circadian molecules and cells provide preliminary insights into a network that adapts to predictable daily and seasonal changes while remaining robust in the face of other perturbations.
生物起搏器决定着我们生理和行为上的日常节奏。构成这些昼夜节律的分子、细胞和网络，如今可以通过长期细胞成像和电生理工具进行监测，并且初步研究已经提出了一个观点——生物钟对于大脑活动和可塑性的广泛变化可能至关重要。这些日常变化能够改变可用基因、转录本、蛋白质、离子及其他生物活性分子的数量或活性，最终决定诸如兴奋性和连接性等细胞特性。最近发现的昼夜节律分子和细胞，为一个适应可预测的日常和季节性变化、同时在面对其他干扰时仍保持稳健的网络提供了初步见解。
