title: Pineal indole metabolism in the mouse.
abstract: The activity of two pineal enzymes serotonin N-acetyltransferase (SNAT) and hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase, (HIOMT) and the pineal content of serotonin (5-HT) and N-acetylserotonin (NAS) were measured in several strains of mice (Mus domesticus) in order to compare melatonin synthetic pathways among them. Of the strains we examined, C57BL/6J, AKR/J, BALB/c, NZB/BLNJ and wild mice, only wild mice synthesize pineal melatonin. Wild mice had high activity of both SNAT and HIOMT; NZB had SNAT activity but did not have HIOMT; the three other strains had neither SNAT nor HIOMT; the activity of SNAT in wild mice showed a clear daily rhythm but HIOMT activity did not show any significant daily changes. The pineal content of 5-HT in wild and NZB mice was higher during the day than during the night, however in C57BL and AKR, 5-HT levels were higher during the night than during the day. As expected NAS was found in wild and NZB mice.
mesh_terms: D000121:Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D007211:Indoles / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008806:Mice, Inbred AKR; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008814:Mice, Inbred NZB; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D012737:Sex Factors; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D007211:Indoles; D012701:Serotonin; D000121:Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase; C006389:N-acetylserotonin