Melatonin receptors: are there multiple subtypes?
There is now evidence for more than one site of action for the hormone melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxy-tryptamine). Recent pharmacological and molecular advances are providing the tools to address the characterization of melatonin receptor subtypes. The development of novel melatonin receptor agonists and antagonists, high-affinity radioligands, quantitative bioassays, and the recent cloning of melatonin receptors are furthering our understanding of native and recombinant melatonin receptors. In this article, Margarita Dubocovich discusses the properties of melatonin receptors, and the basis for their classification into at least two subtypes, the ML1 and ML2.
Dubocovich
M L
ML
Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D044094:Receptors, Melatonin
D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D044094:Receptors, Melatonin