Effect of sleep deprivation on rhythms of clock gene expression and melatonin in humans

Chronobiol Int. 2013 Aug;30(7):901-9. doi: 10.3109/07420528.2013.784773. Epub 2013 Jun 5.

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of sleep deprivation on the human circadian system. Plasma melatonin and cortisol levels and leukocyte expression levels of 12 genes were examined over 48 h (sleep vs. no-sleep nights) in 12 young males (mean±SD: 23±5 yrs). During one night of total sleep deprivation, BMAL1 expression was suppressed, the heat shock gene HSPA1B expression was induced, and the amplitude of the melatonin rhythm increased, whereas other high-amplitude clock gene rhythms (e.g., PER1-3, REV-ERBα) remained unaffected. These data suggest that the core clock mechanism in peripheral oscillators is compromised during acute sleep deprivation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ARNTL Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Adult
  • Circadian Rhythm / genetics
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / blood
  • Leukocytes / metabolism
  • Light
  • Male
  • Melatonin / blood*
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group D, Member 1 / genetics
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group D, Member 1 / metabolism
  • Oscillometry / methods
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Period Circadian Proteins / genetics
  • Period Circadian Proteins / metabolism*
  • Radioimmunoassay
  • Sleep / genetics
  • Sleep Deprivation / genetics*
  • Sleep Deprivation / metabolism*
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • ARNTL Transcription Factors
  • BMAL1 protein, human
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • HSPA1B protein, human
  • NR1D1 protein, human
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group D, Member 1
  • PER1 protein, human
  • PER2 protein, human
  • PER3 protein, human
  • Period Circadian Proteins
  • Melatonin
  • Hydrocortisone