title: The influence of GABA on the synthesis of N-acetylserotonin, melatonin, O-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptophol and O-acetyl-5-methoxytryptophol in the pineal gland of the male Wistar rat.
abstract: The influence of GABA on the synthesis of N-acetylserotonin, melatonin, O-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptophol and O-acetyl-5-methoxytryptophol has been investigated using different experimental procedures. It was demonstrated that when GABA and an acetyl donor were added to the incubation medium together, a significant increase in synthesis of the N-acetylated products occurred during the night. Moreover there was a large increase in N-acetylserotonin synthesis at 15(00) hrs although none was observed in the control experiments. However, when GABA was added 20 min before the acetyl donor, synthesis of the N-acetylated products was significantly less. The opposite effect was observed for the O-acetylated indoles. These results confirm the proposal by Ebadi et al. (1982) that GABA, like norepinephrine, may be a regulator of melatonin synthesis. As melatonin is implicated in the regulation of reproduction it may be that GABA is equally significant in this regulatory effect.
mesh_terms: D000107:Acetylation; D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects; D006917:Hydroxytryptophol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007211:Indoles / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012701:Serotonin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013997:Time Factors; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007211:Indoles; D006917:Hydroxytryptophol; D012701:Serotonin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; C025278:O-acetyl-5-methoxytryptophenol; C037828:O-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptophol; D008550:Melatonin; C006389:N-acetylserotonin