Photic regulation of mt(1) melatonin receptors and 2-iodomelatonin binding in the rat and Siberian hamster

Biol Signals Recept. 2000 May-Aug;9(3-4):188-96. doi: 10.1159/000014638.

Abstract

We have investigated the photic regulation of melatonin receptors both at the level of binding capacity and mt(1) mRNA expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and the pars tuberalis (PT) of the pituitary of two species: a highly photoperiodic one, the Siberian hamster, and a nonphotoperiodic one, the Wistar rat. This study has been performed by looking at the effect of a light pulse applied during the night on the two receptor parameters. The results show that the photic regulations of mt(1) mRNA expression and receptor density are distinct from each other in both the SCN and PT of the two species studied. They also show that, depending on the species and the structure, this regulation may implicate either the circadian clock or melatonin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cricetinae
  • Light*
  • Melatonin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Melatonin / metabolism*
  • Phodopus / metabolism*
  • Pituitary Gland / metabolism
  • Rats / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / radiation effects*
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / radiation effects*
  • Receptors, Melatonin
  • Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / metabolism
  • Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / radiation effects

Substances

  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Receptors, Melatonin
  • 2-iodomelatonin
  • Melatonin