title: [Melatonin and its role the circadian function].
abstract: Melatonin is a principal hormone of the vertebrate pineal gland. Its production, being under control of a circadian oscillator, follows circadian rhythmicity with high values at night and low values during day-hours. As the nocturnal production of melatonin is proportional to the length of the night (or dark phase of an imposed light-dark illumination cycle), the hormone conveys an important chronobiological message to the whole body, playing the role of a biochemical clock and calendar. This article surveys a current knowledge on regulation of melatonin biosynthesis, receptors and function, and particularly provides a comprehensive view of the role the hormone may play in the vertebrate circadian system.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Amin Biogennych Polskiej Akademii Nauk, Lodzi.
authors.forename: J Z
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Nowak
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Zawilska
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001683:Biological Clocks / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D008550:Melatonin
vernacular_title: Melatonina i jej rola w funkcji systemu okołodobowego.