Leptin modulates norepinephrine-mediated melatonin synthesis in cultured rat pineal gland.
Pineal melatonin synthesis can be modulated by many peptides, including insulin. Because melatonin appears to alter leptin synthesis, in this work we aimed to investigate whether leptin would have a role on norepinephrine- (NE-)mediated melatonin synthesis in cultured rat pineal glands. According to our data, cultured rat pineal glands express leptin receptor isoform b (Ob-Rb). Pineal expression of Ob-Rb mRNA was also observed in vivo. Administration of leptin (1 nM) associated with NE ( 1 µM) reduced melatonin content as well as arylalkylamine-N-acetyl transferase (AANAT) activity and expression in cultured pineal glands. Leptin treatment per se induced the expression of STAT3 in cultured pineal glands, but STAT3 does not participate in the leptin modulation of NE-mediated pineal melatonin synthesis. In addition, the expression of inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER) was further induced by leptin challenge when associated with NE. In conclusion, leptin inhibition of pineal melatonin synthesis appears to be mediated by a reduction in AANAT activity and expression as well as by increased expression of Icer mRNA. Peptidergic signaling within the pineal gland appears to be one of the most important signals which modulates melatonin synthesis; leptin, as a member of this system, is not an exception.
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. rodrigousp@gmail.com
Rodrigo Antonio
RA
Peliciari-Garcia
Jéssica
J
Andrade-Silva
José
J
Cipolla-Neto
Carla Roberta de Oliveira
CR
Carvalho
D000818:Animals; D015870:Gene Expression; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D020738:Leptin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D008550:Melatonin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D054411:Receptors, Leptin / Q000378:metabolism; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism
D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D020738:Leptin; D054411:Receptors, Leptin; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; C494088:Stat3 protein, rat; D008550:Melatonin; D009638:Norepinephrine