Reprograming of Circadian Rhythms by Dietary Methionine Starvation [meRIP-seq]

Dietary methionine restriction (MR) has been shown to improve metabolic health and extend lifespan. However, the effects of MR on the circadian clock and the underlying mechanisms have remained unclear.

In this study, we discover that a methionine deprivation (MD) diet induces a remarkable reprogramming of hepatic circadian rhythms, with a profound impact on the oscillation of genes involved in the lipogenic pathway. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that the MD diet induces fluctuations of m6A mRNA methylation and reshapes the epigenetic landscape. Surprisingly, the rhythms of gut microbiota metabolism are reshaped by the MD diet, and the gut microbiota partially mediates the effects of the MD diet on hepatic circadian rhythms.