title: Beta-adrenergic receptor subtypes in human pineal gland.
abstract: The secretion of melatonin by the pineal has been promoted as a direct monitor of adrenergic function in depressive illness. However, discrepant findings have been reported, possibly reflecting a complex adrenergic regulation of pineal output. In order to clarify the anatomical localization and relative density of beta-adrenergic receptors and their subtypes in human pineal, quantitative autoradiographic analysis was conducted of beta-adrenergic receptors in postmortem specimens using the high affinity radioligand 125I-pindolol. Dense specific binding was found throughout the gland. beta 1 -adrenergic receptors were more numerous, but beta 2-receptors were present in an overlapping anatomical distribution with beta 1-receptors.
authors.affiliation: Psychobiology Laboratory/116-A, Ann Arbor V.A.M.C., MI 48105, USA.
authors.forename: K Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Little
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kirkman
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Duncan
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001345:Autoradiography; D001665:Binding Sites; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010869:Pindolol / Q000378:metabolism; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000378:metabolism*; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000378:metabolism; D011869:Radioligand Assay; D018342:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D018343:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011412:Propanolamines; D018342:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1; D018343:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2; C026777:ICI 118551; D010869:Pindolol; C025716:ICI 89406