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Science 7 June 1974:
Vol. 184. no. 4141, pp. 1091 - 1092
DOI: 10.1126/science.184.4141.1091
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Articles

Pineal beta-Adrenergic Receptor: Diurnal Variation in Sensitivity

Jorge A. Romero 1 and Julius Axelrod 1

1 Laboratory of Clinical Science, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20014

The responsiveness of the pineal beta-adrenergic receptor that regulates serotonin-N-acetyltransferase activity is nearly ten times greater at the end of the light period (0600 to 1800 hours) than at the end of the dark period (1800 to 0600 hours). These changes in sensitivity of the postsynaptic beta-adrenergic receptor are related to diurnal changes in the release of noradrenaline from sympathetic nerves innervating the pineal. Supersensitivity of the receptor appears to result from decreased release of the neurotransmitter during daytime, and subsensitivity from increased release at night.


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