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RGS2 is a feedback inhibitor of melatonin production in the pineal gland
Author(s) -
Matsuo Masahiro,
Coon Steven L.,
Klein David C.
Publication year - 2013
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/j.febslet.2013.03.016
Subject(s) - melatonin , pineal gland , medicine , rgs2 , endocrinology , circadian rhythm , norepinephrine , pinealocyte , receptor , biology , chemistry , g protein , dopamine , gtpase activating protein
The 24‐h rhythmic production of melatonin by the pineal gland is essential for coordinating circadian physiology. Melatonin production increases at night in response to the release of norepinephrine from sympathetic nerve processes which innervate the pineal gland. This signal is transduced through G‐protein‐coupled adrenergic receptors. Here, we found that the abundance of regulator of G‐protein signaling 2 (RGS2) increases at night, that expression is increased by norepinephrine and that this protein has a negative feedback effect on melatonin production. These data are consistent with the conclusion that RGS2 functions on a daily basis to negatively modulate melatonin production.