Genetics Determine if You're a Morning Lark or a Night Owl

For the first time ever, researchers have identified the genetics that make some people night owls and others morning birds. Based on the analysis of a fruit fly, scientists have found nearly 80 genes associated with "morningness" and "eveningness."

"Most people find that their performance is at specific times of day," said Eran Tauber, one of the researchers, in a news release. "A great variation in this diurnal preference is found, from early risers 'larks' to late night 'owls.' The impact of this preference ('chronotype') on health and behavior is well documented, but the molecular basis is unknown."

In this latest study, the researchers examined fruit flies, whose gene clocks are very similar to humans. This revealed a first look at the molecular basis of either being a morning person or an evening person. In fact, it's likely that some of the genes identified in the fruit flies may also be important for diurnal preference in humans.

"Most of these genes are present in the mammalian genome would therefore be useful starting points for research in human," said Tauber. "For example, a relatively large number of genes were associated with a molecular signaling pathway called MAPK, which is also present in humans and is implicated in the development of many cancers."

Surprisingly, the researchers found that most of the genes that they identified were not core-clock genes. Instead, the genes were involved in a diverse range of molecular pathways. This changes the view of the body clock as a whole.

"Another interesting finding of this study is that the molecular processes in the owls are not merely delayed compared to larks, but are entirely different," said Tauber. "I refer to this behavior as the 'pinball theory.' Once a gene expression is delayed (in larks), a completely different cascade of molecular events in carried, similar to the ball I a pinball machine that takes a different route in each run. The end point might be similar, but the different molecular routes result in a different journey time."

The findings are published in the journal Frontiers in Neurology.  

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