Researchers at Duke University and several California institutions have identified a new approach that can influence the body’s 24‑hour clock. The finding could open avenues for therapies addressing sleep disorders and other conditions tied to circadian misalignment. The work has appeared in a leading scientific journal, signaling a credible advance in clock biology.
The focus centers on CK1δ, a protein kinase that helps regulate when people feel sleepy or alert by tagging key clock components. By detailing CK1δ properties connected to the timing of sleep and wakefulness, the study sheds light on how the clock works.
CK1δ guides the circadian cycle by attaching chemical tags to other clock proteins. This tagging process can be internal as well: the enzyme itself can be modified, changing how it influences the rest of the rhythm network.
The team shows that distinct amino acid sequences determine the pattern of tagging, indicating which components receive a tag and how that marks shift the clock output.
Beyond its role in timing, CK1δ participates in cell division, pathways linked to cancer development, and some neurodegenerative conditions. Understanding the tagging rules could influence multiple cellular processes and disease pathways.
Researchers suggest that adjusting this protein’s activity could ease jet lag, a common disruption when travel crosses several time zones. Jet lag happens when the body’s clock struggles to align with the local day night cycle after long flights. Symptoms include fatigue, irritability, and disrupted sleep.
Earlier studies tested light exposure as a countermeasure, using cabin lighting strategies on long journeys to pace the circadian system and reduce jet lag.