The localization of the site of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase circadian expression in the photoreceptor cells of mammalian retina.
To investigate the molecular mechanism of the melatonin rhythm in the mammalian retina, we examined the temporal mRNA expression pattern of arylalkylamine (serotonin) N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT), the rate-limiting enzyme in melatonin synthesis in the rat retina. Rat AA-NAT mRNA was detected exclusively in the retinal photoreceptors in the outer nuclear layer--low during the day and increased more than threefold at night. The nocturnal AA-NAT expression in rat retina was also confirmed by RNase protection and the AA-NAT enzymatic activity. This is the first report to localize the site of AA-NAT mRNA circadian expression in mammalian photoreceptor cells.
National Institute of Bioscience and Human Technology, Agency of Industrial Science and Technology, MITI, Ibaraki, Japan.
T
T
Niki
T
T
Hamada
M
M
Ohtomi
K
K
Sakamoto
S
S
Suzuki
K
K
Kako
Y
Y
Hosoya
K
K
Horikawa
N
N
Ishida
D000818:Animals; D016375:Antisense Elements (Genetics); D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D015870:Gene Expression; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000201:enzymology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D016375:Antisense Elements (Genetics); D012333:RNA, Messenger; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase