Date of Award
Spring 2015
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Dr. Michael P. Martin
Abstract
Circadian rhythms (CR) are 24-hour cycles that regulate physiological processes of the human body, such as sleep and blood glucose levels. They allow organisms to coordinate behavioral, physiological, and molecular processes with the 24-hour light/dark cycle. CRs influence metabolism through transcriptional-translation mechanisms of time-keeping, which are activated by environmental stimuli. It is known that circadian rhythms influence glucose metabolism through a variety of ways including G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs); however, the extent to which these mechanisms operate are unknown. Disrupted CRs lead to inappropriate GPCR pathway signaling, pancreatic beta-cell failure, and misregulation of gene expression, which results in a predisposition to metabolic disease. Possible drug targets and lifestyle choices may be identified to prevent or treat metabolic diseases due to new research.
Recommended Citation
Skiffey, Mary, "What are the effects of circadian rhythms on the G-protein coupled receptors involved with glucose metabolism?" (2015). Senior Honors Projects. 83.
https://collected.jcu.edu/honorspapers/83
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