{
  "id": 10719114,
  "title": "The circadian clock regulates KCNH2 (hERG) promoter activity through daily temperature rhythms.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/the-circadian-clock-regulates-kcnh2-herg-promoter-activity-through",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-29T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.28.751769v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The circadian clock, a biological mechanism that cycles with a 24-hour period, influences the expression of various genes within the mouse heart, including the KCNH2 gene. In humans, KCNH2 is encoded by the hKCNH2 gene. Researchers explored whether daily temperature fluctuations drive the circadian promoter activity of hKCNH2. They cloned the hKCNH2 promoter region and created luciferase reporter constructs for study. These constructs were introduced into C2C12 myotubes and exposed to either static conditions at 37°C or temperature cycling between 36.5°C and 38.5°C. Bioluminescence was measured and analyzed for period, phase, and amplitude. The findings indicated that temperature cycling induced a continuous entrainment effect, as opposed to the rapid damping observed in serum-shock-synchronized conditions. Further analysis revealed a conserved tandem E-box within the hKCNH2 promoter that is essential for oscillation under both serum shock and temperature cycling, and for BMAL1:CLOCK-dependent transactivation. Notably, the CLOCK{Delta}19 protein reduced the amplitude of hKCNH2 promoter activity under temperature cycling, without affecting the oscillation period. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that the circadian clock regulates KCNH2 promoter activity through daily temperature rhythms.",
  "summary": "Background: KCNH2 encodes Kv11.1 channel proteins that conduct the rapidly activating delayed-rectifier K+ current (IKr), which is critical for cardiac repolarization. KCNH2 encodes two functional isoforms, Kv11.1a and Kv11.1b, via alternative transcription start sites. Kv11.1a is the principal determinant of cardiac IKr and ventricular repolarization. The circadian clock, a…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "bioRxiv",
        "title": "The Estuary Effect: Variations in Temperature and Salinity Alter msh Promoter Activity in Vibrio cholerae",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/the-estuary-effect-variations-in-temperature-and-salinity-alter-msh",
        "published": "2026-09-29T00:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}