Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Pineal serotonin N-acetyltransferase activity: abrupt decrease in adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate may be signal for

D C Klein, M J Buda, C L Kapoor

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |January 20, 1978
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Managing humiliation.

    The journal of primary prevention·2013
    Same author

    Introduction to the issue.

    The journal of primary prevention·2013
    Same author

    The humiliation dynamic: An overview.

    The journal of primary prevention·2013
    Same author

    Introduction to the issue.

    The journal of primary prevention·2013
    Same author

    The mental health center as a community laboratory.

    Community mental health journal·2013
    Same author

    Alteration in gene expression at the onset of human Y-79 retinoblastoma cell differentiation.

    Neurochemistry international·2010
    Same journal

    Erratum for the Research Article "Detecting supramolecular organic nanoparticles during heat wave".

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    Same journal

    Local signals, systemic decline.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    Same journal

    The mechanics of liver regeneration.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    Same journal

    Computing in a memory with physics.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    Same journal

    Retraction.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    Same journal

    Making time.

    Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
    See all related articles

    A rapid decrease in cyclic AMP signals the turnoff of N-acetyltransferase activity in pinealocytes. This finding is crucial for understanding pineal gland regulation and melatonin synthesis.

    Area of Science:

    • Biochemistry
    • Cellular Biology
    • Neuroendocrinology

    Background:

    • Pinealocytes are key cells in the pineal gland, responsible for hormone production.
    • Adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) is a critical second messenger in cellular signaling pathways.
    • N-acetyltransferase activity is a rate-limiting enzyme in melatonin synthesis, regulated by various factors.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the role of cyclic AMP in the regulation of N-acetyltransferase activity in dispersed pinealocytes.
    • To elucidate the signaling mechanism underlying the rapid decrease in N-acetyltransferase activity.

    Main Methods:

    • Primary cultures of dispersed pinealocytes were utilized.
    • Enzyme activity assays were performed to measure N-acetyltransferase levels.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Cells were treated with 1-norepinephrine to stimulate activity, and 1-propranolol to induce reversal.
  • The effects of dibutyryl cyclic AMP and phosphodiesterase inhibitors were examined.

    • Main Results:

    • 1-norepinephrine treatment stimulated N-acetyltransferase activity 100-fold.
    • 1-propranolol rapidly reversed this stimulation, causing a 70% loss of enzyme activity within 15 minutes.
    • 1-propranolol also induced a rapid decrease in cyclic AMP levels.
    • The inhibitory effect of 1-propranolol was blocked by dibutyryl cyclic AMP and phosphodiesterase inhibitors.

    Conclusions:

    • An abrupt decrease in cyclic AMP levels is the likely signal for the rapid "turnoff" of N-acetyltransferase activity in pinealocytes.
    • This suggests a critical role for cyclic AMP in the feedback regulation of melatonin synthesis.
    • Understanding this mechanism is vital for comprehending pineal gland function.