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Rapid Nocturnal Increase in Ovine Pineal N ‐Acetyltransferase Activity and Melatonin Synthesis: Effects of Cycloheximide
Author(s) -
Aryan Namboodiri M. A.,
Sugden D.,
Klein D. C.,
Grady R.,
Mefford I. N.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1985.tb04069.x
Subject(s) - melatonin , cycloheximide , medicine , endocrinology , darkness , serotonin , acetyltransferase , pineal gland , biology , choline acetyltransferase , chemistry , acetylation , biochemistry , cholinergic , protein biosynthesis , receptor , botany , gene
Thirty minutes after the onset of darkness, ovine pineal arylalkylamine N ‐acetyltransferase, N ‐acetylserotonin, and melatonin increase 5‐ to 10‐fold. No significant changes in hydroxyindole‐ O ‐methyltransferase, 5‐hydroxytryptamine, 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid, 5‐hydroxytryptophol, 5‐methoxyindoleacetic acid, and 5‐methoxytryptophol are detected at this time. Administration of cycloheximide inhibits the rise in N ‐acetyltransferase and N ‐acetylserotonin, but not melatonin. Unexpectedly, 5‐methoxytryptophol increases after cycloheximide treatment. Taken together, these results, although consistent in part with a role for serotonin N ‐acetylation in the regulation of melatonin synthesis in sheep, indicate that an N ‐acetyltransferase‐independent mechanism may also be involved.