Unifying effectors of circadian rhythm: Protein N-acetylation, phosphorylation, sulfation and other electrical effects

The vast literature concerning circadian rhythm is devoted mostly to forces that influence operation and harmful effects resulting from disturbances to the clock. The present review presents a novel, unifying theme for influences from protein N-acetylation, phosphorylation and sulfation based on electrochemistry. The unifying theme entails formation of electrostatic fields in the various processes, namely from formation of amide from protein amine in acetylation, presence of phosphate anions from phosphorylation and sulfate anions from sulfation. The electrostatic fields may operate as bridges in communication or in energetics derived from phosphorylation. Other electrochemical and magnetic effects are presented. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.