Korf H W, von Gall C
Dr. Senckenbergische Anatomie, Fachbereich Medizin, J.W.-Goethe Universität, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2006 Jun 27;252(1-2):57-68. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2006.03.005. Epub 2006 Apr 27.
Melatonin effects are discussed by reviewing results from mice with intact or disrupted melatonin signaling. Melatonin, the neuroendocrine hand of the clock produced in the pineal gland during night, acts upon two receptor subtypes. Melatonin receptors are found in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), hypophysial pars tuberalis (PT) and adrenal gland. In SCN, melatonin interacts with PACAP, a neuropeptide of the retinohypothalamic tract. Moreover, melatonin acts on the SCN to modulate the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Melatonin is not required to maintain rhythmic clock gene expression in SCN. By contrast, the rhythmic clock gene expression in PT depends on a melatonin signal interacting with adenosine. Melatonin may also affect clock gene protein levels in the adrenal cortex and influence adrenal functions. In conclusion, melatonin may serve the synchronization of peripheral oscillators by interacting with other neuroactive substances. A stress-reducing potency of melatonin needs to be explored in further studies.
通过回顾褪黑素信号完整或破坏的小鼠实验结果来讨论褪黑素的作用。褪黑素是夜间松果体产生的生物钟神经内分泌信号，作用于两种受体亚型。褪黑素受体存在于视交叉上核（SCN）、垂体结节部（PT）和肾上腺中。在SCN中，褪黑素与视网膜下丘脑束的神经肽垂体腺苷酸环化酶激活肽（PACAP）相互作用。此外，褪黑素作用于SCN以调节交感神经系统的活动。维持SCN中有节律的生物钟基因表达并不需要褪黑素。相比之下，PT中有节律的生物钟基因表达依赖于与腺苷相互作用的褪黑素信号。褪黑素还可能影响肾上腺皮质中生物钟基因的蛋白质水平并影响肾上腺功能。总之，褪黑素可能通过与其他神经活性物质相互作用来实现外周振荡器的同步。褪黑素的减压效力需要在进一步研究中探索。
