Journal of Lipid Research Volume 56, 2015 761(MTP), to transport dietary and endogenous lipids, respectively ( 7-9 ). Therefore, it is possible that a major reason for the circadian regulation of plasma triglyceride depends on their assembly and secretion by the intestine and the liver. Circadian rhythms are centrally orchestrated by a set of clock genes expressed in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the brain. These genes are also expressed in other cells and their expression is entrained by various stimuli emanating from the SCN. Additionally, they are regulated by external stimuli such as food availability. Several intestinal functions, including lipid absorption, show diurnal variations. We will briefl y introduce clock genes and their regulation and intestinal lipid absorption, and then discuss three proteins that have been shown to be involved in the diurnal regulation of lipid absorption ( Fig. 1 ).
LIGHT AND FOOD ENTRAINMENT OF CIRCADIAN RHYTHMSConstant periodicity of sunrise and sunset affects every organism. Some wake up with the sunrise while others go to sleep. However, wakefulness is always associated with physical activity aimed at gathering food. In contrast, sleep is associated with low locomotor activity and fasting. The information about the sunlight is transmitted from the eye via retino-hypothalamic neurons to bilateral SCN in the brain ( 10-12 ). These photic signals are deciphered in the SCN resulting in the increased expression of a clock gene, brain and muscle arylhydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator ( Several behavioral and physiologic activities show circadian rhythms that are attuned to changes in light within a 24 h day. Plasma triacylglycerols exhibit diurnal variations in humans and rodents ( 1-6 ). Due to their hydrophobic nature, these lipids are transported in the plasma as major core constituents of apoB-containing lipoproteins. These lipoproteins are assembled in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi of enterocytes and hepatocytes with the assistance of a dedicated chaperone, microsomal triglyceride transfer protein Abbreviations: ARNT, arylhydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator; Bmal1, brain and muscle ARNT -like protein 1; Clock, circadian locomotor output cycles kaput; CREBH, cAMP responsive element-binding protein H; Cry, cryptochrome; ER, endoplasmic reticulum; HNF, hepatic nuclear factor; MTP, microsomal triglyceride transfer protein; Per, period; PGC1 ␣ , PPAR ␥ coactivator 1-␣ ; Rev-erb ␣ , reverse erythroblastosis virus ␣ ; Ror ␣ , retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor ␣ ; SCN, suprachiasmatic nuclei; Shp, small heterodimer partner .