Molecular cellular mechanisms of peptide regulation of melatonin synthesis in pinealocyte culture.

Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine2012PMID: 22816096

Animal StudyEpitalon

Plain Language Summary

In rat pineal gland cell cultures, Epitalon stimulated the production of the key enzyme AANAT and the transcription factor pCREB, both essential for melatonin synthesis. When combined with norepinephrine, the peptide's effect was even stronger, revealing the molecular pathway by which Epitalon boosts melatonin production.

Abstract

The effects of epithalone and vilone peptides on the synthesis of melatonin and factors involved in this process, arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) enzyme and pCREB transcription protein, were studied in rat pinealocyte culture. Epithalone stimulated AANAT and pCREB synthesis and increased melatonin level in culture medium. Simultaneous addition of norepinephrine and peptides into the culture potentiated the expression of AANAT and pCREB.

Authors

Khavinson, V Kh; Linkova, N S; Kvetnoy, I M; Kvetnaia, T V; Polyakova, V O; Korf, H-W