Light and agonists alter pineal N-acetyltransferase induction by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide.
Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide stimulated serotonin N-acetyltransferase activity in rat pineal glands in organ culture by a postsynaptic action that was independent of the beta-receptor. The magnitude of stimulation could be altered by environmental lighting conditions and by prior exposure to the agonist. Such up- and down-regulation, well known for catecholaminergic stimulation of this system, is compatible with a possible control of the pineal by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide as well as by catecholamines.
D000123:Acetyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008029:Lighting; D008297:Male; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000494:pharmacology*
D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D011433:Propranolol; D000123:Acetyltransferases; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase; D007545:Isoproterenol