title: Inhibitory actions of muscarinic cholinergic receptor agonists on serotonin N-acetyltransferase in bovine pineal explants in culture.
abstract: We have previously identified muscarinic cholinergic receptors in the bovine pineal gland with a KD value of 0.423 +/- 0.01 nM and a Bmax value of 69.75 +/- 20.91 fmol/mg protein. Similarly, we have shown that the bovine pineal gland possesses a specific choline acetyltransferase with an activity of 0.034 +/- 0.004 nmol/mg protein/min. In order to delineate the function of these cholinergic receptor sites, we have studied the effects of muscarinic cholinergic receptor agonists on the activity of serotonin N-acetyltransferase, the melatonin synthesizing enzyme. Cholinergic receptor agonists such as methacholine (10 microM), carbachol (10 microM), and oxotremorine (10 microM) inhibited the activity of serotonin N-acetyltransferase in the bovine pineal explants in culture, from a control value of 5.02 +/- 0.45 to 1.25 +/- 0.25, 1.30 +/- 0.15, and 1.22 +/- 0.20 pmol/mg protein/min, respectively. These inhibitory effects were blocked by muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonists such as atropine (20 microM) or QNB (20 microM). The presence of high affinity muscarinic cholinergic binding sites, of a specific choline acetyltransferase, along with an inhibitory action of cholinomimetic agents on the activity of serotonin N-acetyltransferase, are interpreted to suggest that muscarinic cholinergic fibers may modulate the synthesis and actions of pineal melatonin.
authors.affiliation: Neuro-behavioral Biology Center, Mahidol University of Salaya, Thailand.
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Pujito
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Govitrapong
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ebadi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D002217:Carbachol / Q000494:pharmacology; D002417:Cattle; D007700:Kinetics; D016210:Methacholine Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D010095:Oxotremorine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010277:Parasympathomimetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000201:enzymology*; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D010277:Parasympathomimetics; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic; D010862:Pilocarpine; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D010095:Oxotremorine; D002217:Carbachol; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase