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Advances in molecular mechanisms and neuronal circuits underlying circadian rhythms in Drosophila

XU Wu-Yan, QIAO Chun-Xue, LI Fei-Xiang, MA Ding-Bang^*

Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China

Abstract

Circadian rhythms are core regulatory mechanisms that evolved to align biological functions with the Earth's rotation. These rhythms are conserved across organisms from unicellular life to multicellular species and play essential roles in metabolism, immune responses, and sleep-wake cycle. Circadian disruptions are strongly associated with various diseases. Over the past decades, genetic studies in Drosophila and mice have identified key conserved clock genes and uncovered transcription-translation feedback loops governing circadian regulation. Additionally, rhythmic neurons in the brain integrate complex neural circuits to precisely regulate physiological and behavioral rhythms. This review highlights recent advances in understanding the neuronal circuit mechanisms of rhythmic neurons in the Drosophila brain and discusses future directions for translating circadian rhythm research into chronomedicine and precision therapies.

Key words: Circadian rhythm; neural circuits; circadian neurons

Received: 　　Accepted:

Corresponding author: 马定邦　　E-mail:

DOI: 10.13294/j.aps.2025.0066

Citing This Article：

XU Wu-Yan, QIAO Chun-Xue, LI Fei-Xiang, MA Ding-Bang. Advances in molecular mechanisms and neuronal circuits underlying circadian rhythms in Drosophila. Acta Physiol Sin 2025; 77 (4): 627-640 (in Chinese with English abstract).