title: Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase: "the Timezyme".
abstract: Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase controls daily changes in melatonin production by the pineal gland and thereby plays a unique role in biological timing in vertebrates. Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase is also expressed in the retina, where it may play other roles in addition to signaling, including neurotransmission and detoxification. Large changes in activity reflect cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate-dependent phosphorylation of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase, leading to formation of a regulatory complex with 14-3-3 proteins. This activates the enzyme and prevents proteosomal proteolysis. The conserved features of regulatory systems that control arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase are a circadian clock and environmental lighting.
authors.affiliation: Section on Neuroendocrinology, Office of Scientific Director, NICHD, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. kleind@mail.nih.gov
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Klein
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D047068:Arylalkylamine N-Acetyltransferase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D010766:Phosphorylation; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000201:enzymology*; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary; D012160:Retina / Q000201:enzymology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D047068:Arylalkylamine N-Acetyltransferase; D008550:Melatonin