title: A rhythmic change of vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT) 2 expression in the rat pineal gland.
abstract: The pineal gland secretes melatonin under circadian control via nocturnal noradrenergic stimulation, and expresses vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT) 1, VGLUT2 and a VGLUT1 splice variant (VGLUT1v). Although we previously reported that VGLUT2 mRNA level of rat pineal gland at postnatal day 21 is higher in the nighttime than in daytime, questions remained as to the time of postnatal onset of this phenomenon and a 24-h change in the mRNA or protein level at postnatal days. The day-night difference in VGLUT2 mRNA level was evident 14 days after birth. In the adult, VGLUT2 mRNA and protein levels increased in the dark phase, with the protein level showing a 6-h delay. The nocturnal elevation in VGLUT2 mRNA level diminished under the constant light condition but persisted under the constant dark condition. The present data suggest that VGLUT2 in the rat pineal gland is involved in some nocturnal glutamatergic function.
authors: Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan.
authors: Sachine
authors: S
authors: Yoshida
authors: Yoshiki
authors: Y
authors: Hira
authors: Ayuka
authors: A
authors: Ehara
authors: Yuka
authors: Y
authors: Mimura-Yamamoto
authors: Michihiro
authors: M
authors: Kawano
authors: Fumihiro
authors: F
authors: Shutoh
authors: Haruo
authors: H
authors: Nogami
authors: Setsuji
authors: S
authors: Hisano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D050598:Vesicular Glutamate Transport Protein 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D050599:Vesicular Glutamate Transport Protein 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D050598:Vesicular Glutamate Transport Protein 1; D050599:Vesicular Glutamate Transport Protein 2