title: Melatonin synthesis: adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and norepinephrine stimulate N-acetyltransferase.
abstract: Treatment of cultured rat pineal glands with norepinephrine or dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate causes a six- to tenfold stimulation of N-acetyltransferase. This enzyme converts serotonin to N-acetylserotonin, the immediate precursor of melatonin. The increased synthesis of melatonin caused by norepinephrine treatment appears to be the result of stimulation of N-acetyltransferase by an adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate mechanism.
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000378:metabolism; D000227:Adenine Nucleotides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D046508:Culture Techniques; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000494:pharmacology; D003513:Cycloheximide / Q000494:pharmacology; D008550:Melatonin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D014166:Transferases / Q000378:metabolism*; D014316:Tritium
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D000227:Adenine Nucleotides; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D014316:Tritium; D012701:Serotonin; D003513:Cycloheximide; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D014166:Transferases; D008550:Melatonin; D009638:Norepinephrine