BMAL

Bmal (brain and muscle aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT)-like) is a gene which encodes proteins regulating circadian rhythm. BMAL proteins form part of a basic-helix-loop-helix transcription factor. BMAL-1 dimerizes with CLOCK in vivo and transactivates gene expression of Period and Timeless in drosophila by binding to E-box elements in their promoters. BMAL1-CLOCK also regulates Cryptochrome genes (e.g. Cry1, Cry2) and Period genes (e.g. Per1, Per2, Per3). Bmal itself is downregulated by Period expression.