Melatonin Synthesis in the Pineal Gland: Control by Light
Richard J. Wurtman(National Institute of Mental Health), Julius Axelrod(National Institute of Mental Health), Lawrence S. Phillips(National Institute of Mental Health)
Cited by 431
Abstract
In rats placed in continuous darkness for 6 days, there is a striking increase in the activity of melatonin-synthesizing-enzyme (hydroxyindole-0-methyl transferase) in the pineal gland, but no change in the activity of monoamine oxidase. Since melatonin appears to have a hormonal role in mammals, and its synthesis is confined to the pineal gland, the inhibition of hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferase by light may constitute a mechanism of neuroendocrine regulation.
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