RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Circadian Variations in Rat Liver Gene Expression: Relationships to Drug Actions JF Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics JO J Pharmacol Exp Ther FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics SP 700 OP 716 DO 10.1124/jpet.108.140186 VO 326 IS 3 A1 Richard R. Almon A1 Eric Yang A1 William Lai A1 Ioannis P. Androulakis A1 Debra C. DuBois A1 William J. Jusko YR 2008 UL http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/326/3/700.abstract AB Chronopharmacology is an important but under-explored aspect of therapeutics. Rhythmic variations in biological processes can influence drug action, including pharmacodynamic responses, due to circadian variations in the availability or functioning of drug targets. We hypothesized that global gene expression analysis can be useful in the identification of circadian-regulated genes involved in drug action. Circadian variations in gene expression in rat liver were explored using Affymetrix gene arrays. A rich time series involving animals analyzed at 18 time points within the 24-h cycle was generated. Of the more than 15,000 probe sets on these arrays, 265 exhibited oscillations with a 24-h frequency. Cluster analysis yielded five distinct circadian clusters, with approximately two thirds of the transcripts reaching maximal expression during the dark/active period of the animal. Of the 265 probe sets, 107 were identified as having potential therapeutic importance. The expression levels of clock genes were also investigated in this study. Five clock genes exhibited circadian variation in the liver, and data suggest that these genes may also be regulated by corticosteroids. The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics