Molecular basis of circadian rhythmicity in renal physiology and pathophysiology

In this brief review, an overview of the molecular and physiological evidence for the kidney clock and the implications for the regulation of renal physiology and pathophysiology are presented. Accumulating evidence suggests that the molecular circadian clock acts as a master regulator of gene expression in the kidney. Global transcriptomic approaches have revealed the important finding that there are thousands of genes in the kidney subject to regulation by the molecular clock. Candidate gene approaches have also yielded information regarding regulation of renal sodium transport genes by the molecular clock. To date, the evidence linking the molecular kidney clock to rhythmic renal function provides strong support for the concept that circadian control of gene expression underlies rhythms in physiological function.