Open AccessDie effekte van melatonien op molekulêre vlak
Author(s) -
Melody M. Haag,
Jacques Theron
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
suid-afrikaanse tydskrif vir natuurwetenskap en tegnologie/die suid-afrikaanse tydskrif vir natuurwetenskap en tegnologie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2222-4173
pISSN - 0254-3486
DOI - 10.4102/satnt.v11i1.515
Subject(s) - melatonin , dopaminergic , medicine , endocrinology , dopaminergic pathways , pineal gland , neurotransmitter , circadian rhythm , gabaergic , receptor , opioidergic , biology , chemistry , hormone , dopamine , antagonist , (+) naloxone
The indole hormone melatonin is secreted in a biphasic circadian rhythm by the pineal gland. This review presents a summary of recent results concerning — (i) factors that influence melatonin synthesis; (ii) the existence of melatonin receptors in brain tissue; (iii) the effects of melatonin as a modulator of dopaminergic, noradrenergic, GABAergic and opioidergic neurotransmitter processes; (iv) the influence of melatonin on the electric activity and metabolic rate of certain brain nuclei; and (v) melatonin effects on hormone secretion in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. A basic mechanism of melatonin action via cyclic nucleotides and thus protein phosphorylation is presented