Evening exposure to blue light stimulates the expression of the clock gene PER2 in humans
Abstract
We developed a non‐invasive method to measure and quantify human circadian PER2 gene expression in oral mucosa samples and show that this gene oscillates in a circadian (= about a day) fashion. We also have the first evidence that induction of human PER2 expression is stimulated by exposing subjects to 2 h of light in the evening. This increase in PER2 expression was statistically significant in comparison to a non‐light control condition only after light at 460 nm (blue) but not after light exposure at 550 nm (green). Our results indicate that the non‐image‐forming visual system is involved in human circadian gene expression. The demonstration of a functional circadian machinery in human buccal samples and its response to light opens the door for investigation of human circadian rhythms at the gene level and their associated disorders.
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Exposure to short wavelength visible light (between 400 and 500 nm) has a stronger influence on circadian resetting than longer wavelength light.
“Exposure to short wavelength visible light (between 400 and 500 nm, i.e. blue and blue-enriched light) has a stronger influence on the circadian resetting than longer wavelength light [63–66].”
From Human thermal perception and time of day: A review (2021) · cites this paper as [66]
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- Authors
- Cajochen, C., Jud, C., Münch, M., Kobialka, S., Wirz‐Justice, A., & Albrecht, U.
- Affiliations
- University of Basel (CH)
- University of Fribourg (CH)
- Corresponding author
- Cajochen, Christian
- Venue
- European Journal of Neuroscience
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2006-02
- Volume
- 23
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 1082-1086
- ISSN
- 0953-816X (ISSN-L)
- 1460-9568
- OpenAlex
- W2022759634
- Cited by
- 144
- References
- 31
- Citations by year
- 2025: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 11
- FWCI
- 3.23
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- European Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- RERO DOC (Universität Bern) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Velux Stiftung
- Office of Science
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Light effects on plants
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
- Keywords
- Per2, clock genes, blue light, evening light exposure, oral mucosa, circadian gene expression, circadian rhythm, green light
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Color, Darkness, Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation, Female, Humans, Light, Male, Melatonin, Mucous Membrane, Nuclear Proteins, Transcription Factors, Gene Expression, Period Circadian Proteins
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