The Pineal Gland: A Neurochemical Transducer

Axelrod, Julius

doi:10.1126/science.184.4144.1341

Cited by 859 publications

(349 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…This circadian rhythm of melatonin synthesis is driven by similar changes in the activity of serotonin N-acetyltransferase (arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase, AANAT; EC 2.3.1.87), the penultimate enzyme in the melatonin synthesis pathway [4,9,10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proteomic analysis of day–night variations in protein levels in the rat pineal gland

et al. 2007

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The pineal gland secretes the hormone melatonin. This secretion exhibits a circadian rhythm with a zenith during night and a nadir during day. We have performed proteome analysis of the superficial pineal gland in rats during daytime and nighttime. The proteins were extracted and subjected to 2-DE. Of 1747 protein spots revealed by electrophoresis, densitometric analysis showed the up-regulation of 25 proteins during nighttime and of 35 proteins during daytime. Thirty-seven of the proteins were identified by MALDI-TOF MS. The proteins up-regulated during the night are involved in the Krebs cycle, energy transduction, calcium binding, and intracellular transport. During the daytime, enzymes involved in glycolysis, electron transport, and also the Krebs cycle were up-regulated as well as proteins taking part in RNA binding and RNA processing. Our data show a prominent day-night variation of the protein levels in the rat pineal gland. Some proteins are up-regulated during the night concomitant with the melatonin secretion of the gland. Other proteins are up-regulated during the day indicating a pineal metabolism not related to the melatonin synthesis.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proteomic analysis of day–night variations in protein levels in the rat pineal gland

et al. 2007

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“…Pinealocytes are endocrine cells that synthesize and secrete melatonin into blood [1][2][3]. This process is controlled by sympathetic neurons: upon binding of noradrenaline from the nerve endings to its receptor at plasma membrane of pinealocytes, N-acetyltransferase and hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase, key enzymes for melatonin synthesis, are stimulated, resulting in increased synthesis and secretion of melatonin [1][2][3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microvesicles isolated from bovine pineal gland specifically accumulate l‐glutamate

Moriyama

Yamamoto

1995

FEBS Letters

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“…Hence, the animals that were restricted in terms of their food intake had higher nocturnal pineal N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity (the rate limiting enzyme in melatonin production), as well as higher pineal and serum melatonin levels (104). The preservation of pineal biosynthetic activity in these animals was presumed to be a consequence of the higher number of p-adrenergic receptors on the pinealocytes of the undefied rats (105); these receptors are involved in mediating the nighttime rise in melatonin production (106). While the partially preserved melatonin cycle in underfed rats could be used as an argument for the better health and increased longevity of these animals, there is no justification for this conclusion at this time.…”

Section: Preservation Of the Melatonin Rhythmmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aging and oxygen toxicity: Relation to changes in melatonin

Reíter

1997

AGE

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Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a chemical mediator produced in the pineal gland and other sites in the body. The melatonin found in the blood is derived almost exclusively from the pineal gland. Since the pineal synthesizes melatonin primarily at night, blood levels of the indole are also higher at night (5-15 fold) than during the day. Some individuals on a nightly basis produce twice as much melatonin as others of the same age. Throughout life, the melatonin rhythm gradually wanes such that, in advanced age, melatonin production is usually at a minimum. Melatonin was recently found to be a free radical scavenger and antioxidant. It has been shown, in the experimental setting, to protect against both free radical induced DNA damage and oxidative stress-mediated lipid peroxidation. Pharmacologically, melatonin has been shown to reduce oxidative damage caused by such toxins as the chemical carcinogen safrole, carbon tetrachloride, paraquat, bacterial lipopolysaccharide, kainic acid, 8-aminolevulinic and amyloid 13 peptide of AIzheimer's disease as well as a model of Parkinson's disease involving the drug 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Additionally, the oxidative damage caused by agents such as ionizing radiation and excessive exercise is reduced by melatonin. Since free radical-induced molecular injury may play a significant role in aging, melatonin's ability to protect against it suggests a potential function of melatonin in deferring aging and agerelated, free radical-based diseases. Besides its ability to abate oxidative damage, other beneficial features of melatonin may be important in combating the signs of aging; these include melatonin's immune-stimulating function, its sleep-promoting ability, its function as an anti-viral agent, and general protective actions at the cellular level. Definitive tests of the specific functions of physiological levels of melatonin in processes of aging are currently being conducted.

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The Pineal Gland: A Neurochemical Transducer

Cited by 859 publications

References 52 publications

Proteomic analysis of day–night variations in protein levels in the rat pineal gland

Proteomic analysis of day–night variations in protein levels in the rat pineal gland

Microvesicles isolated from bovine pineal gland specifically accumulate l‐glutamate

Aging and oxygen toxicity: Relation to changes in melatonin

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