title: Characterization of melatonin binding to the anteroventral and anterodorsal thalamic nuclei of the rat.
abstract: Binding of 2-[125I]melatonin to the anteroventral and anterodorsal nuclei of the rat limbic thalamus was analyzed with in vitro autoradiography. In both nuclei the binding was of high affinity (Kd values 24-41 pM) and was competed with by nanomolar concentrations of 6-hydroxymelatonin. Kd values were in the same range as those reported for other high-affinity binding sites in the brain. Bmax values were 0.68-2.99 fmol/mg protein. The results suggest that some effects of melatonin are mediated via the limbic thalamus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: O F
authors.initials: OF
authors.lastname: Lindroos
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Veilahti
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Leinonen
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Laakso
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D001665:Binding Sites; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013787:Thalamic Nuclei / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D008550:Melatonin; C012365:6-hydroxymelatonin