title: In vivo administration of isoproterenol or forskolin during the light phase induces increases in the melatonin content of the Syrian hamster pineal gland without a rise in N-acetyltransferase activity.
abstract: In vivo melatonin production was stimulated during the daytime in pineal glands of female Syrian hamsters following the administration of several injections of either isoproterenol, a beta-receptor agonist, or forskolin, an adenylate cyclase stimulator. The large increase in melatonin following either isoproterenol or forskolin administration was not accompanied by significant changes in N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity. The results suggest that the Syrian hamster pineal gland, as in other species, responds by producing melatonin during the light phase if the stimulus is adjusted to its particular and specific regulatory mechanisms, i.e., if beta-adrenergic stimulation is continued for 4-8 h. The lack of a commensurate increase in NAT activity raises the question of the need of maximal enzymatic activity for a significant rise in melatonin production in the Syrian hamster pineal gland.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Menendez-Pelaez
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Buzzell
authors.forename: K O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Nonaka
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Reiter
mesh_terms: D000123:Acetyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects*; D005576:Colforsin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006224:Cricetinae; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008029:Lighting; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D008647:Mesocricetus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D005576:Colforsin; D000123:Acetyltransferases; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase; D008550:Melatonin; D007545:Isoproterenol