The proportion of S phase cells was quantified as previously described (59 (link),75 (link)). Briefly, 5 × 105 digested BMAL1+/+ and BMAL1–/– hMPCs were digested by TrypLE™ Express Enzyme (1×) (Thermo Fisher Scientific) and then centrifuged at 1,000 rpm for 5 min. The supernatant was removed and the pellets were fixed in 70% ethanol at −20°C overnight. On the next day, the fixed pellets were washed by PBS and then incubated in PBS containing 0.1% Triton X-100, 0.2 mg/ml RNase A (B100675-0500, Sangon biotech) and 0.02 mg/ml propidium iodide (P3566, Molecular Probes) at room temperature for 30 min. After incubation, the proportion of S phase cells was then assayed by FACS (BD FACS Calibur). Each group has three biological replicates.