Effects of Near-Ultraviolet (UV-A) Light on Melatonin Biosynthesis in Vertebrate Pineal Gland

Zawilska, Jolanta B.; Rosiak, Jolanta; Nowak, Jerzy Z.

doi:10.1159/000014570

Cited by 10 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…The ecological role of the OPN1sw1 opsin in birds is not well understood, but is likely to be broad, as it has been associated with coloration pattern recognition [ 19 ], social signaling, hunting, nectar localization and mate-choice [ 6 – 8 ]. Others also suggest a role in non-visual processes such as circadian rhythm regulation [ 40 , 41 ]. Species in six avian orders, Pteroclidiformes, Charadriiformes, Coraciiformes, Trogoniformes, Psittaciformes and Passeriformes, have been shown to possess UVS sensitivity [ 16 ], of which the later four belong to core landbirds.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gene loss, adaptive evolution and the co-evolution of plumage coloration genes with opsins in birds

et al. 2015

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BackgroundThe wide range of complex photic systems observed in birds exemplifies one of their key evolutionary adaptions, a well-developed visual system. However, genomic approaches have yet to be used to disentangle the evolutionary mechanisms that govern evolution of avian visual systems.ResultsWe performed comparative genomic analyses across 48 avian genomes that span extant bird phylogenetic diversity to assess evolutionary changes in the 17 representatives of the opsin gene family and five plumage coloration genes. Our analyses suggest modern birds have maintained a repertoire of up to 15 opsins. Synteny analyses indicate that PARA and PARIE pineal opsins were lost, probably in conjunction with the degeneration of the parietal organ. Eleven of the 15 avian opsins evolved in a non-neutral pattern, confirming the adaptive importance of vision in birds. Visual conopsins sw1, sw2 and lw evolved under negative selection, while the dim-light RH1 photopigment diversified. The evolutionary patterns of sw1 and of violet/ultraviolet sensitivity in birds suggest that avian ancestors had violet-sensitive vision. Additionally, we demonstrate an adaptive association between the RH2 opsin and the MC1R plumage color gene, suggesting that plumage coloration has been photic mediated. At the intra-avian level we observed some unique adaptive patterns. For example, barn owl showed early signs of pseudogenization in RH2, perhaps in response to nocturnal behavior, and penguins had amino acid deletions in RH2 sites responsible for the red shift and retinal binding. These patterns in the barn owl and penguins were convergent with adaptive strategies in nocturnal and aquatic mammals, respectively.ConclusionsWe conclude that birds have evolved diverse opsin adaptations through gene loss, adaptive selection and coevolution with plumage coloration, and that differentiated selective patterns at the species level suggest novel photic pressures to influence evolutionary patterns of more-recent lineages.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1924-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gene loss, adaptive evolution and the co-evolution of plumage coloration genes with opsins in birds

et al. 2015

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“…The enzyme N-acetyltransferase, which initiates the conversion of serotonin to melatonin, is reported to be inhibited by UVA radiation. 71,72 This mechanism could theoretically result in increased serotonin production and depletion of circulating melatonin in UV-exposed subjects.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do adolescent indoor tanners exhibit dependency?

Zeller

Lazovich

Forster

et al. 2006

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

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“…The conversion of serotonin to melatonin is a photosensitive step resulting from the photoinhibition of the enzymes N-acetyltransferase. It has recently been reported that UVA radiation is a powerful signal affecting the pineal melatonin-generating system and inhibits N-acetyltransferase [ 33 , 38 , 39 ]. Accordingly, it has been observed that melanocytes are photoresponsive cells which express and metabolize indolamines, such as melatonin, during the G 2 phase while responding to UV exposure [ 40 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of UVA exposure on psychological parameters and circulating serotonin and melatonin

et al. 2002

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BackgroundPeople tend to feel better after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This study was performed to investigate the impact of UVA exposure on psychological and neuroendocrine parameters.MethodsFifty-three volunteers were separated into 42 individuals who had UVA exposure and 11 individuals who had no UVA exposure. The UVA-exposed volunteers had irradiation sessions six times in a three-week period. All volunteers completed two questionnaires at baseline (T1) and at the end of the study (T3). For the determination of serotonin and melatonin serum levels of all volunteers blood samples were collected at baseline (T1), after the first UVA exposure (T2), and at the end of the study after the sixth exposure (T3).ResultsUVA-exposed volunteers felt significantly more balanced, less nervous, more strengthened, and more satisfied with their appearance at T3. By contrast, the controls did not show significant changes of psychological parameters. In comparison to T1 and T3, serum serotonin was significantly higher and the serum melatonin was significantly lower for the volunteers exposed to UVA at T2. Both, for exposed and non-exposed volunteers serotonin and melatonin levels did not significantly differ at T1 and T3.ConclusionsIt remains obscure, whether the exposure to UVA or other components of the treatment were responsible for the psychological benefits observed. The changes of circulating neuroendocrine mediators found after UVA exposure at T2 may be due to an UVA-induced effect via a cutaneous pathway. Nevertheless, the positive psychological effects observed in our study cannot be attributed to circulating serotonin or melatonin.

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Effects of Near-Ultraviolet (UV-A) Light on Melatonin Biosynthesis in Vertebrate Pineal Gland

Cited by 10 publications

References 24 publications

Gene loss, adaptive evolution and the co-evolution of plumage coloration genes with opsins in birds

Gene loss, adaptive evolution and the co-evolution of plumage coloration genes with opsins in birds

Do adolescent indoor tanners exhibit dependency?

Impact of UVA exposure on psychological parameters and circulating serotonin and melatonin

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