Circadian mechanisms in adipose tissue bioenergetics and plasticity

In this review, Hepler and Bass focus on new insights into adipocyte cellular plasticity as well as circadian control of adipose tissue metabolism, transcription, and inflammation. They also discuss emerging studies uncovering the mechanistic links between clocks and adipocyte metabolism, and its application to dietary and behavioral interventions to improve health and mitigate obesity. The circadian clock plays an essential role in coordinating feeding and metabolic rhythms with the light/dark cycle. Disruption of clocks is associated with increased adiposity and metabolic disorders, whereas aligning feeding time with cell-autonomous rhythms in metabolism improves health. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent literature in adipose tissue biology as well as our understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying the circadian regulation of transcription, metabolism, and inflammation in adipose tissue. We highlight recent efforts to uncover the mechanistic links between clocks and adipocyte metabolism, as well as its application to dietary and behavioral interventions to improve health and mitigate obesity.

Automated summary

In this article, the authors focus on the new insights into the plasticity of adipocytes and the circadian control of adipose tissue metabolism, transcription, and inflammation. They also discuss the recent studies that uncover the mechanistic links between clocks and adipocyte metabolism, as well as its application to dietary and behavioral interventions for improving health and mitigating obesity. The circadian clock plays a crucial role in coordinating feeding and metabolic rhythms, and disrupting the clock is associated with increased adiposity and metabolic disorders.