Scientists from Osaka University, University of Tokyo and Queensland University of Technology found that mutations in the Period2 (Per2) gene can affect sleep quality and circadian rhythms. results published In Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
The scientific team conducted a study involving laboratory mice. Scientists are trying to find out whether there are genetic traits that can affect biological rhythms. It turns out that mutations in Period2 (Per2), which is related to the protein of the same name, can lead to reduced total sleep time in mice. This protein is known for its important role in regulating circadian rhythms.
The upstream open reading frame uORF plays a crucial role in controlling the levels of proteins synthesized from mRNA (this is an RNA molecule that contains information about the amino acid sequence necessary for the synthesis of a particular protein). This is a sequence of nucleotides in DNA or RNA that can potentially code for proteins. Approximately 75% of genes associated with the regulation of circadian rhythms have uORFs.
uORF mutations in the Period2 gene could cause disruptions in the biological clock of mice and cause insomnia. Scientists think similar mechanisms may affect people’s circadian rhythms.
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