Period circadian protein homolog 2 (PER2) mRNA (PER2 mRNA)

Period circadian protein homolog 2 (PER2) mRNA is the transcript of the PER2 gene, a central component of the mammalian molecular clock (UniProt O15055). This mRNA encodes the PER2 protein, which acts as a negative regulator of the circadian rhythm by inhibiting the transcriptional activity of the CLOCK-BMAL1 complex (PubMed 11239153). The expression of PER2 mRNA follows a rhythmic pattern, and its precise timing is crucial for maintaining physiological synchrony across various tissues. Mutations or dysregulation of PER2 mRNA are associated with sleep disorders like Familial Advanced Sleep Phase Syndrome (FASPS) and have been linked to tumorigenesis, as PER2 plays a role in DNA repair and cell cycle progression (PubMed 24012423). Therapeutic strategies targeting PER2 mRNA, such as antisense oligonucleotides or small molecule modulators like SHP1705, aim to adjust the circadian period or amplitude to treat sleep, metabolic, or oncological conditions (PubMed 22797482). Additionally, PER2 mRNA levels can serve as a biomarker for the internal circadian phase, which is increasingly used in chronotherapy to optimize drug timing and efficacy (PubMed 31546559).

Other names

Period circadian regulator 2 mRNAPER2FASPSFASPS1KIAA0347

Targeting PER2 mRNA involves modulating its transcription, stability, or translation. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and siRNAs induce RNase H-mediated degradation or RNA interference to reduce PER2 protein levels (PubMed 15465596). Small molecules like CRY activators (e.g., SHP1705) repress the BMAL1-CLOCK complex, which directly binds to E-box elements in the PER2 promoter, leading to decreased transcription of PER2 mRNA (PubMed 22797482). Conversely, HDAC inhibitors like Vorinostat can increase PER2 expression by modulating the epigenetic state of its promoter in certain cancers (PubMed 24012423).