Stimulation of D4-like dopamine receptor suppresses serotonin N-acetyltransferase activity but does not phase-shift the circadian oscillator in chick retina.
We have recently reported that dopamine (DA) receptor-regulating serotonin N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity in chick retina represents a D4-like subtype. In this work, effects of stimulation of DA-D4 receptors upon the circadian rhythm of retinal NAT activity were investigated in chicks. Systemic administration of quinpirole (QNP), a DA-D4 receptor agonist, resulted in a potent suppression of the nighttime NAT activity of chick retina but did not significantly affect the phase of subsequent cycles of the rhythmic oscillation of the enzyme activity in constant darkness. 6-h pulses of white light caused an acute suppression of NAT activity in chick retina and, in contrast to QNP, resetted the phase of the free-running rhythm. It is suggested that, although D4-like DA receptors in chick retina are involved in the regulation of NAT activity by the circadian clock, they do not appear to be implicated in the regulation of the clock by light.
Department of Biogenic Amines, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodz.
J B
JB
Zawilska
D000818:Animals; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D002645:Chickens; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects*; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004873:Ergolines / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D019257:Quinpirole; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects*
D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D004873:Ergolines; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D019257:Quinpirole; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase