title: Circadian variation of beta-adrenoceptor binding sites in the pineal gland of the Syrian hamster and prevention of the nocturnal reduction by light exposure or propranolol treatment.
abstract: Radioreceptor assays with (-) [125I]-iodopindolol (IPIN) were used to describe circadian variations of beta-adrenoceptors in the pineal gland of male Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Single-point experiments (200 pM IPIN, 8-9 pineals pooled per time point) showed a significant circadian variation (p less than 0.01) with maximal values (28.9 +/- 1.8 fmol/mg protein, means +/- SEM, n = 7) between 07:00 and 02:30 h, and minimal values at 04:00 (7.2 +/- 2.9 fmol/mg protein, n = 3), 8 h after darkness onset. Either exposure of animals to light at night or treating dark exposed hamsters with a beta-adrenergic receptor blocker, propranolol, prevented the nocturnal drop in the number of beta-adrenoceptors. Scatchard analysis of saturation isotherms at 02:30, 04:00 and 08:00 h (30-600 pM IPIN, one saturation experiment with 25 pineals pooled per time point) confirmed the circadian variation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pangerl
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pangerl
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Reiter
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000187:drug effects; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects*; D006224:Cricetinae; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D011433:Propranolol