Kidney-specific KO of the circadian clock protein PER1 alters renal Na⁺ handling, aldosterone levels, and kidney/adrenal gene expression

For the first time, we show that knockout of the circadian clock transcription factor PERIOD 1 using kidney-specific cadherin Cre results in increased renal Na + reabsorption, increased aldosterone levels, and changes in gene expression in both the kidney and adrenal gland. Diurnal changes in renal Na + excretion were not observed, demonstrating that the clock protein PER1 in the kidney is important for maintaining homeostasis and that this effect may be independent of time of day.