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Expression and functional characterization of a melatonin‐sensitive receptor in Xenopus oocytes
Author(s) -
Fischer Bernhard,
Muβhoff Ulrich,
Fauteck Jan-Dirk,
Madeja Michael,
Wittkowski Werner,
Speckmann Erwin-Josef
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/0014-5793(96)00090-7
Subject(s) - xenopus , pertussis toxin , receptor , melatonin , medicine , endocrinology , melatonin receptor , biology , oocyte , microbiology and biotechnology , g protein , chemistry , biochemistry , embryo , gene
Melatonin (MEL) plays a central role in the regulation of seasonal cycles and in the control of circadian rhythms in mammals. Functional MEL‐sensitive receptors were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes following injection of poly (A) + RNA from rat brain. Administration of 0.1–100 μmol/l MEL to voltage‐clamped oocytes (holding potential: −70 mV) elicited oscillatory inward currents (reversal potential: −24 mV) which could be blocked by 9‐anthracenecarboxylic acid and caffeine. After preincubation with pertussis toxin (PTX) the MEL response disappeared. The expressed MEL‐sensitive receptor probably activates Ca 2+ ‐dependent chloride currents via a PTX‐sensitive G protein and the phosphoinositol pathway.