Melatonin receptors. An overview for physicians.
Sleep and wakefulness result from a complex process. Melatonin plays a role in the sleep process by binding to receptors that inhibit the firing rate of neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. This action, in turn, may help promote sleep. Multiple melatonin receptors have been discovered, and information about individual receptor function continues to grow. Elucidating information about receptor function may provide clues for new drugs that may act on specific receptors to aid patients with sleep disorders.
Zee
Phyllis C
PC
Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. p-zee@northwestern.edu
D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D008550:Melatonin / Q000502:physiology; D044094:Receptors, Melatonin / Q000819:agonists / Q000502:physiology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000502:physiology
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D044094:Receptors, Melatonin; D008550:Melatonin