Few of us enjoy waking up early in the morning, but some people find it a tremendous effort. Now, a study developed by the Genetics Laboratory of the Rockefeller University of New York (USA) concludes that if you usually go to sleep late and find it extremely difficult to get up early (the characteristics of a night owl), it is possible that have a genetic mutation that disrupts your circadian rhythm.
Night owl behavior is often diagnosed as delayed sleep phase disorder ; a disorder that affects a significant percentage of the population (in the US 15%) and whose basis is that the circadian rhythm of these people -with a clear genetic basis- is different, suffering a delay in the onset of sleep .
The researchers, led by expert Michael Young, have identified a genetic mutation that may be responsible for altering the human circadian clock in night owls. Specifically, they believe that a mutation in the CRY1 gene is what can cause a delay in the onset of sleep.
How does the circadian cycle work?
At the beginning of the circadian cycle, cells accumulate proteins called activators. During the 24-hour cycle, these activators produce their own inhibitors that cause the activators to taper off. When all the activators have been silenced, they no longer produce inhibitors. When all the inhibitors have degraded, the activators regain their maximum potency, thus starting the cycle again.
Genetic mutation
Based on this, the experts identified the CRY1 protein as one of the inhibitors that works to suppress the activator proteins, finding a single point mutation in the CRY1 gene, which means that the only thing that is wrong is a letter in the cell. genetic coding; but this is enough. This small change makes the inhibitor hyperactive, causing it to hold down activators for too long and extend the circadian cycle.
“ Mutation carriers have days longer than the planet gives us, so they are essentially playing catch-up their entire lives. It’s like these people are perpetually jet lagged, moving east every day. days “, according to Alina Patke, co-author of the work.
The study has been published in the journal Cell.
