Phenotypic characterization of circadian rhythms in different genotype individuals for clock gene polymorphisms in different regions in Brazil: an emphasis on the effect of the gene PER3 and latitude

Abstract

The PER3 gene is part of the molecular circadian system and it is involved in regulation of these biological rhythms, as for example, the adaptation to the light/dark cycle. The HIOMT and AANAT genes codify enzymes that are part of the melatonin synthesis pathways, whose production is associated with the light/dark cycle environment. Recent studies show associations with these three genes with so-called chronotypes and circadian rhythms disorders. Data from our own research group make us to hypothesize that these genes should have a role in the adaptation to different conditions of light/dark given by latitude. In this way aiming to test the hypothesis of differential regulation of circadian rhythms dependent on genotype and latitude we intend, in the present project, to analyze circadian rhythms of temperature and activity/rest of students genotyped for the PER3, HIOMIT and AANAT in three latitudes in Brazil, São Paulo, Alagoas and Rio Grande do Sul at two epochs around the year; winter and summer solstices (AU)