Melatonin formation in mammals: In vivo perspectives |
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Authors: | Asamanja Chattoraj Tiecheng Liu Liang Samantha Zhang Zheping Huang Jimo Borjigin |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, 1301 E., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;(2) Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;(3) Present address: Department of Pediatrics, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, 101 Dudley Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA; |
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Abstract: | Melatonin is a hormone secreted from the pineal gland specifically at night and contributes to a wide array of physiological
functions in mammals. Melatonin is one of the most well understood output of the circadian clock located in the suprachiasmatic
nucleus. Melatonin synthesis is controlled distally via the circadian clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and proximally
regulated by norepinephrine released in response to the circadian clock signals. To understand melatonin synthesis in vivo, we have performed microdialysis analysis of the pineal gland, which monitors melatonin as well as the precursor (serotonin)
and intermediate (N-acetylserotonin) of melatonin synthesis in freely moving animals in realtime at high resolution. Our data
revealed a number of novel features of melatonin production undetected using conventional techniques, which include (1) large
inter-individual variations of melatonin onset timing; (2) circadian regulation of serotonin synthesis and secretion in the
pineal gland; and (3) a revised view on the rate-limiting step of melatonin formation in vivo. This article will summarize the main findings from our laboratory regarding melatonin formation in mammals. |
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