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A proposed mechanism to explain the stimulatory effect of melatonin on antioxidative enzymes
Author(s) -
TomásZapico Cristina,
CotoMontes Ana
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of pineal research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1600-079X
pISSN - 0742-3098
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-079x.2005.00248.x
Subject(s) - melatonin , antioxidant , enzyme , oxidative stress , melatonin receptor , chemistry , pineal gland , mechanism of action , oxidative phosphorylation , transcription factor , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , medicine , endocrinology , gene , in vitro
Melatonin, the main secretory product of the pineal gland, is known to collaborate against oxidative stress within cells, but its mechanism of action in terms of stimulating antioxidant enzymes remains unclear. Herein, we propose that melatonin modulates antioxidant enzyme activities via its interaction with calmodulin, which in turn inhibits downstream processes that lead to the inactivation of nuclear ROR α melatonin receptor. Eventually, this nuclear transcription factor downregulates NF‐ κ B‐induced antioxidant enzyme expression. Therefore, the increment in antioxidant enzyme activities induced by melatonin involves the inhibition of the ROR α pathway. Thus, in addition to its direct free radical scavenging activities, melatonin has important actions in oxidative defense by stimulating enzymes which metabolize free radicals and radical products to innocuous metabolites.