Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Site Tools

  • AAAS
  • Subscribe
  • Feedback

Site Search

Search Advanced

Science 22 May 1970:
Vol. 168. no. 3934, pp. 979 - 980
DOI: 10.1126/science.168.3934.979
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Articles

Melatonin Synthesis: Adenosine 3',5'-Monophosphate and Norepinephrine Stimulate N-Acetyltransferase

David C. Klein 1, Gerald R. Berg 1, and Joan Weller 1

1 Section on Physiological Controls, Laboratory of Biomedical Sciences, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Maryland 20014

Treatment of cultured rat pineal glands with norepinephrine or dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate causes a six- to tenfold stimulation of N-acetyltransferase. This enzyme converts serotonin to N-acetylserotonin, the immediate precursor of melatonin. The increased synthesis of melatonin caused by norepinephrine treatment appears to be the result of stimulation of N-acetyltransferase by an adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate mechanism.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Developmental and Diurnal Dynamics of Pax4 Expression in the Mammalian Pineal Gland: Nocturnal Down-Regulation Is Mediated by Adrenergic-Cyclic Adenosine 3',5'-Monophosphate Signaling.
M. F. Rath, M. J. Bailey, J.-S. Kim, A. K. Ho, P. Gaildrat, S. L. Coon, M. Moller, and D. C. Klein (2009)
Endocrinology 150, 803-811
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Proteasomal Proteolysis in the Adrenergic Induction of Arylalkylamine-N-Acetyltransferase in Rat Pinealocytes.
D. L. Terriff, C. L. Chik, D. M. Price, and A. K. Ho (2005)
Endocrinology 146, 4795-4803
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Transcription Factors May Frame Aa-nat Gene Expression and Melatonin Synthesis at Night in the Syrian Hamster Pineal Gland.
M.-L. Garidou, E. Diaz, C. Calgari, P. Pevet, and V. Simonneaux (2003)
Endocrinology 144, 2461-2472
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Effect of venlafaxine on pineal melatonin and noradrenaline in the male rat.
M. Franklin, E.M. Clement, G. Campling, and P.J. Cowen (1998)
J Psychopharmacol 12, 371-374
   Abstract »    PDF »
Is There a Central Nervous Withdrawal Syndrome Associated with Discontinuing Long-term Treatment with Propranolol?.
H. Al-Qassab, L.A. Cleeves, P.L. Francis, M.R. Al-Sereiti, L. Findley, A. Hedges, R. Silman, and P. Turner (1988)
Human and Experimental Toxicology 7, 249-254
   Abstract »    PDF »
Effects of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor (Rolipram) on the urinary excretion of 6-sulphatoxy melatonin in man.
S.A. Checkley, F. Winton, T. Corn, C. Franey, and J. Arendt (1987)
J Psychopharmacol 1, 20-22
   Abstract »    PDF »
A diurnal rhythm in pineal protein 1 content mediated by beta-adrenergic neurotransmission.
E. Nestler, M Zata, and P Greengard (1982)
Science 217, 357-359
   Abstract »    PDF »
Circadian clock in culture: N-acetyltransferase activity of chick pineal glands oscillates in vitro.
C. Kasal, M Menaker, and J. Perez-Polo (1979)
Science 203, 656-658
   Abstract »    PDF »
The pineal gland: a biological clock in vitro.
S. Binkley, J. Riebman, and K. Reilly (1978)
Science 202, 1198-1120
   Abstract »    PDF »
Efflux of cyclic nucleotides from rat pineal: release of guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate from sympathetic nerve endings.
M Zatz and R. O'Dea (1977)
Science 197, 174-176
   Abstract »    PDF »
The Pineal Gland: A Neurochemical Transducer.
J. Axelrod (1974)
Science 184, 1341-1348
   PDF »
Rapid Light-Induced Decrease in Pineal Serotonin N-Acetyltransferase Activity.
D. C. Klein and J. L. Weller (1972)
Science 177, 532-533
   Abstract »    PDF »
Pineal N-Acetyltransferase Activity: Effect of Sympathetic Stimulation.
P. H. Volkman and A. Heller (1971)
Science 173, 839-840
   Abstract »    PDF »
Adenosine 3',5'-Monophosphate in Rat Pineal Gland: Increase Induced by Light.
M. S. Ebadi, B. Weiss, and E. Costa (1970)
Science 170, 188-190
   Abstract »    PDF »
Indole Metabolism in the Pineal Gland: A Circadian Rhythm in N-Acetyltransferase.
D. C. Klein and J. L. Weller (1970)
Science 169, 1093-1095
   Abstract »    PDF »


To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)