title: International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. LXXV. Nomenclature, classification, and pharmacology of G protein-coupled melatonin receptors.
abstract: The hormone melatonin (5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine) is synthesized primarily in the pineal gland and retina, and in several peripheral tissues and organs. In the circulation, the concentration of melatonin follows a circadian rhythm, with high levels at night providing timing cues to target tissues endowed with melatonin receptors. Melatonin receptors receive and translate melatonin's message to influence daily and seasonal rhythms of physiology and behavior. The melatonin message is translated through activation of two G protein-coupled receptors, MT(1) and MT(2), that are potential therapeutic targets in disorders ranging from insomnia and circadian sleep disorders to depression, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. This review summarizes the steps taken since melatonin's discovery by Aaron Lerner in 1958 to functionally characterize, clone, and localize receptors in mammalian tissues. The pharmacological and molecular properties of the receptors are described as well as current efforts to discover and develop ligands for treatment of a number of illnesses, including sleep disorders, depression, and cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo State University of New York, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA. mdubo@buffalo.edu
authors.forename: Margarita L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Dubocovich
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Delagrange
authors.forename: Diana N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Krause
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sugden
authors.forename: Daniel P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Cardinali
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Olcese
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D044094:Receptors, Melatonin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification* / Q000378:metabolism; D009626:Terminology as Topic
chemical_list: D044094:Receptors, Melatonin