Reconsidering mammalian circadian organization

Michael C. Tackenberg; Maria Luísa Jabbur; Vincent M. Cassone; Jeff R. Jones

doi:10.1016/j.nbscr.2026.100144

Reconsidering mammalian circadian organization

Michael C. Tackenberg
, Maria Luísa Jabbur
, Vincent M. Cassone
, Jeff R. Jones

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

A circadian clock enables an organism to occupy a particular temporal niche, and the evolutionary pressures associated with that temporal niche in turn shape the organization of the circadian network in which the clock is embedded. Although circadian organization has often been dichotomized into centralized and distributed systems, our modern understanding of circadian networks reveals a more complex organization that cannot be captured by this simple dichotomy. In this review, we examine how coupling between nodes of the circadian network (from cells, to tissues, to organs) gives rise to coherent circadian organization in mammals. We further highlight how comparative research on non-mammalian organisms reveals conserved and divergent strategies for circadian coupling that inform general principles of circadian network function across species.

Original language	English
Article number	100144
Journal	Neurobiology of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms
Volume	20
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbscr.2026.100144
State	Published - May 2026

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2026. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Funding

This work was supported by The University of Kentucky (M.C.T.), by National Institutes of Health Grant R 35 GM151020(J.R.J.), and a Research Grant from the Whitehall Foundation (J.R.J.) We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Terry Page for his wisdom and advice over the years. Several of us (M.C.T., J.R.J., M.L.J.) had the honor of having Terry serve on or chair our dissertation committees during our graduate training at Vanderbilt University, and in this role Terry provided innumerable contributions to our work. Beyond his official capacity as a committee member, Terry was also an integral part of our training as chronobiologists, assisting us with challenging conceptual topics, discussing classic and modern circadian literature, and always being willing to have a chat about chronobiology or science in general. We are deeply grateful for his direct contributions to our careers and for the examples he has set for us as a scientist. This work was supported by The University of Kentucky (M.C.T.), by National Institutes of Health Grant R 35 GM151020(J.R.J.), and a Research Grant from the Whitehall Foundation (J.R.J.)

Funders	Funder number
University of Kentucky
Vanderbilt Digestive Diseases Research Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Whitehall Foundation
National Institutes of Health (NIH)	R 35 GM151020

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Neurology
Clinical Neurology
Behavioral Neuroscience

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10.1016/j.nbscr.2026.100144

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author = "Tackenberg, \{Michael C.\} and Jabbur, \{Maria Lu{\'i}sa\} and Cassone, \{Vincent M.\} and Jones, \{Jeff R.\}",

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language = "English",

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AB - A circadian clock enables an organism to occupy a particular temporal niche, and the evolutionary pressures associated with that temporal niche in turn shape the organization of the circadian network in which the clock is embedded. Although circadian organization has often been dichotomized into centralized and distributed systems, our modern understanding of circadian networks reveals a more complex organization that cannot be captured by this simple dichotomy. In this review, we examine how coupling between nodes of the circadian network (from cells, to tissues, to organs) gives rise to coherent circadian organization in mammals. We further highlight how comparative research on non-mammalian organisms reveals conserved and divergent strategies for circadian coupling that inform general principles of circadian network function across species.

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Reconsidering mammalian circadian organization

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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