Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) genotype as a personal trait in melatonin synthesis

The melatonin rhythm is arguably the best marker for the phase of the endogenous "biological clock." Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) is known to catalyze the acetylation of serotonin, a rate-limiting process in melatonin synthesis. Different single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the AANAT gene were identified recently in the Japanese population, and one of the genes was significantly associated with the delayed sleep phase syndrome. Thus, 54 healthy Caucasian males were genotyped to investigate whether these SNPs in the AANAT gene affected melatonin levels. The endogenous melatonin levels were analyzed in saliva under standardized experimental conditions ("constant routines") by radioimmunoassay. Despite the broad temporal variation of the human nocturnal melatonin profiles, none of the investigated SNPs were found in the AANAT gene in this study. These findings point to ethnic differences with respect to these SNPs, rather than time of day termed "morningness." In summary, SNPs in the AANAT gene identified thus far cannot explain the observed interindividual differences for nocturnal melatonin profiles in the subjects investigated.