title: Melatonin receptors in the human fetal kidney: 2-[125I]iodomelatonin binding sites correlated with expression of Mel1a and Mel1b receptor genes.
abstract: Melatonin receptors in the human fetal kidney were identified and characterized by quantitative in vitro autoradiography using the melatonin agonist, 2-[125I]iodomelatonin. Specific binding was localized to cells in the nephrogenic region at the outer perimeter of the developing kidney and was time-dependent, saturable and inhibited in the presence of guanosine 5'-0-(3-thiotriphosphate) indicative of a G protein-coupled receptor. Expression of the Mel1a and Mel1b melatonin receptors in human fetal kidney was determined using RT-PCR. In situ hybridization confirmed the localization of the Mel1a mRNA transcripts. A role for melatonin in development of the human fetal kidney is postulated.
authors.affiliation: Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, UK.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Drew
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: L T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Hannah
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Abramovich
mesh_terms: D001345:Autoradiography; D001665:Binding Sites; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D007668:Kidney / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000196:embryology*; D008550:Melatonin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D044094:Receptors, Melatonin
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D044094:Receptors, Melatonin; C044556:2-iodomelatonin; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D008550:Melatonin