Melatonin synthesis: adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and norepinephrine stimulate N-acetyltransferase

Science. 1970 May 22;168(3934):979-80. doi: 10.1126/science.168.3934.979.

Abstract

Treatment of cultured rat pineal glands with norepinephrine or dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate causes a six- to tenfold stimulation of N-acetyltransferase. This enzyme converts serotonin to N-acetylserotonin, the immediate precursor of melatonin. The increased synthesis of melatonin caused by norepinephrine treatment appears to be the result of stimulation of N-acetyltransferase by an adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate mechanism.

MeSH terms

  • Acetates / metabolism
  • Adenine Nucleotides / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Carbon Isotopes
  • Culture Techniques
  • Cyclic AMP / pharmacology
  • Cycloheximide / pharmacology
  • Melatonin / biosynthesis*
  • Norepinephrine / pharmacology*
  • Norepinephrine / physiology
  • Pineal Gland / drug effects
  • Pineal Gland / enzymology
  • Pineal Gland / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Serotonin / metabolism
  • Stimulation, Chemical
  • Transferases / metabolism*
  • Tritium

Substances

  • Acetates
  • Adenine Nucleotides
  • Carbon Isotopes
  • Tritium
  • Serotonin
  • Cycloheximide
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Transferases
  • Melatonin
  • Norepinephrine