Molecular origin of the kidney clock.

Abstract

Increasing evidence suggests that a functional circadian clock in the kidney contributes to the regulation of renal function including blood pressure and sodium balance. When does this kidney clock begin ticking? Mészáros et al. provide the first evidence that the endogenous molecular machinery of the circadian clock begins oscillating in the late fetal kidney. These findings have important implications for our understanding of how homeostasis is maintained in early life.