“Adipocytes store excess energy in the form of triglycerides and signal the levels of stored energy to the brain.” A recent studies shows  “that adipocyte-specific deletion of Arntl (also known as Bmal1), a gene encoding a core molecular clock component, results in obesity in mice with a shift in the diurnal rhythm of food intake, a result that is not seen when the gene is disrupted in hepatocytes or pancreatic islets.”

“Previous studies have shown that dysregulation of the feeding rhythm without an increase in total food intake can lead to obesity in rodents.”

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There was a tutorial last semester on molecular clocks. This is certainly a great read (or a leisurely perusal) if you are interested in molecular clocks and their impact on our health.