Method for stress evaluation

摘要

The molecular reaction mechanism that associates the clock gene with stress is elucidated based on the finding that stress is accompanied by an increase in the expression level of Per1 gene in peripheral tissues, stress response does not change the circadian rhythm in peripheral tissues, and Per1 gene increases in its expression level dependently on the responsive element of glucocorticoid existing in its promoter region. This finding is used for stress evaluation. That is, stress can be evaluated for its presence or absence or degree by detection and determination of an increase in the transcript (mRNA) of Per1 gene in peripheral tissues (an increase in the protein coded by Per 1 gene).