Overview of the Circadian Clock in the Hair Follicle Cycle

The document "Overview of the Circadian Clock in the Hair Follicle Cycle" discusses the significant role of the circadian clock in hair follicle (HF) regeneration and metabolism. The circadian clock, which adapts to the light-dark cycle, not only depends on the central pacemaker but also functions independently in peripheral tissues like skin. It impacts glucose metabolism, feeding/fasting, stem cell differentiation, and senescence, all crucial in regulating HF regeneration. Disruption in the circadian clock can lead to cell cycle progression issues in HFs. Studies have shown that knockdown of circadian clock genes like BMAL1 or PER1 can significantly prolong the anagen (growth) phase of HFs. The document suggests that understanding the role of the circadian clock in HFs could lead to the discovery of new drug targets for hair loss. However, the exact molecular mechanisms require further investigation.