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Melatonin receptor structures shed new light on melatonin research
Author(s) -
Cecon Erika,
Liu Lei,
Jockers Ralf
Publication year - 2019
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/jpi.12606
Subject(s) - melatonin , melatonin receptor , biology , receptor , circadian rhythm , neuroscience , evolutionary biology , genetics , computational biology , endocrinology , microbiology and biotechnology
The tryptophan derivative melatonin is an evolutionary old molecule that is involved in a pleiotropy of physiological functions. In humans, age‐related decline of circulating melatonin levels and/or dysregulation of its circadian synthesis pattern have been associated with several disorders and disease states. Several molecular targets have been proposed for melatonin since its discovery, in 1959. Among them, melatonin MT 1 and MT 2 receptors are the best characterized melatonin targets, mediating melatonin effects in a variety of tissues. They belong to the superfamily of G protein‐coupled receptors. Two back‐to‐back articles published in the “Nature” Journal earlier this year present the first crystal structures of the human MT 1 and MT 2 in its inactive states. Here, we will briefly outline the discovery path of melatonin receptors until their structural elucidation and discuss how these new findings will guide future research toward a better understanding of their function and rational drug design.