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Rath MF, Coon SL, Amaral FG, Weller JL, Møller M, Klein DC. Melatonin Synthesis: Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase (ASMT) Is Strongly Expressed in a Subpopulation of Pinealocytes in the Male Rat Pineal Gland. Endocrinology 2016; 157:2028-40. [PMID: 26950199 PMCID: PMC4870883 DOI: 10.1210/en.2015-1888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The rat pineal gland has been extensively used in studies of melatonin synthesis. However, the cellular localization of melatonin synthesis in this species has not been investigated. Here we focus on the localization of melatonin synthesis using immunohistochemical methods to detect the last enzyme in melatonin synthesis, acetylserotonin O-methyltransferase (ASMT), and in situ hybridization techniques to study transcripts encoding ASMT and two other enzymes in melatonin synthesis, tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH)-1 and aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase. In sections of the rat pineal gland, marked cell-to-cell differences were found in ASMT immunostaining intensity and in the abundance of Tph1, Aanat, and Asmt transcripts. ASMT immunoreactivity was localized to the cytoplasm in pinealocytes in the parenchyma of the superficial pineal gland, and immunopositive pinealocytes were also detected in the pineal stalk and in the deep pineal gland. ASMT was found to inconsistently colocalize with S-antigen, a widely used pinealocyte marker; this colocalization was seen in cells throughout the pineal complex and also in displaced pinealocyte-like cells of the medial habenular nucleus. Inconsistent colocalization between ASMT and TPH protein was also detected in the pineal gland. ASMT protein was not detected in extraepithalamic parts of the central nervous system or in peripheral tissues. The findings in this report are of special interest because they provide reason to suspect that melatonin synthesis varies significantly among individual pinealocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin F Rath
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology (M.F.R., M.M.), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; and Section on Neuroendocrinology (M.F.R., S.L.C., F.G.A., J.L.W., D.C.K.), Program in Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Steven L Coon
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology (M.F.R., M.M.), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; and Section on Neuroendocrinology (M.F.R., S.L.C., F.G.A., J.L.W., D.C.K.), Program in Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Fernanda G Amaral
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology (M.F.R., M.M.), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; and Section on Neuroendocrinology (M.F.R., S.L.C., F.G.A., J.L.W., D.C.K.), Program in Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Joan L Weller
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology (M.F.R., M.M.), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; and Section on Neuroendocrinology (M.F.R., S.L.C., F.G.A., J.L.W., D.C.K.), Program in Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Morten Møller
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology (M.F.R., M.M.), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; and Section on Neuroendocrinology (M.F.R., S.L.C., F.G.A., J.L.W., D.C.K.), Program in Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - David C Klein
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology (M.F.R., M.M.), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; and Section on Neuroendocrinology (M.F.R., S.L.C., F.G.A., J.L.W., D.C.K.), Program in Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
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De Berardis D, Marini S, Fornaro M, Srinivasan V, Iasevoli F, Tomasetti C, Valchera A, Perna G, Quera-Salva MA, Martinotti G, di Giannantonio M. The melatonergic system in mood and anxiety disorders and the role of agomelatine: implications for clinical practice. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:12458-83. [PMID: 23765220 PMCID: PMC3709794 DOI: 10.3390/ijms140612458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2013] [Revised: 05/22/2013] [Accepted: 05/22/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Melatonin exerts its actions through membrane MT1/MT2 melatonin receptors, which belong to the super family of G-protein-coupled receptors consisting of the typical seven transmembrane domains. MT1 and MT2 receptors are expressed in various tissues of the body either as single ones or together. A growing literature suggests that the melatonergic system may be involved in the pathophysiology of mood and anxiety disorders. In fact, some core symptoms of depression show disturbance of the circadian rhythm in their clinical expression, such as diurnal mood and other symptomatic variation, or are closely linked to circadian system functioning, such as sleep-wake cycle alterations. In addition, alterations have been described in the circadian rhythms of several biological markers in depressed patients. Therefore, there is interest in developing antidepressants that have a chronobiotic effect (i.e., treatment of circadian rhythm disorders). As melatonin produces chronobiotic effects, efforts have been aimed at developing agomelatine, an antidepressant with melatonin agonist activity. The present paper reviews the role of the melatonergic system in the pathophysiology of mood and anxiety disorders and the clinical characteristics of agomelatine. Implications of agomelatine in "real world" clinical practice will be also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico De Berardis
- National Health Service, Department of Mental Health, Psychiatric Service of Diagnosis and Treatment, Hospital “G. Mazzini”, ASL 4 Teramo, Italy; E-Mail:
- Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, Chair of Psychiatry, University “G. D’Annunzio”, Chieti 66013, Italy; E-Mails: (G.M.); (M. G.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +39-0861429708; Fax: +39-0861429706
| | - Stefano Marini
- National Health Service, Department of Mental Health, Psychiatric Service of Diagnosis and Treatment, Hospital “G. Mazzini”, ASL 4 Teramo, Italy; E-Mail:
- Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, Chair of Psychiatry, University “G. D’Annunzio”, Chieti 66013, Italy; E-Mails: (G.M.); (M. G.)
| | - Michele Fornaro
- Department of “Scienze della Formazione”, University of Catania, Catania 95121, Italy; E-Mail:
| | - Venkataramanujam Srinivasan
- Sri Sathya Sai Medical Educational and Research Foundation, Medical Sciences Research Study Center, Prasanthi Nilayam, 40-Kovai Thirunagar Coimbatore, Tamilnadu 641014, India; E-Mail:
| | - Felice Iasevoli
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry and Psychopharmacotherapeutics, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, University School of Medicine “Federico II”, Naples 80131, Italy; E-Mails: (F.I.); (C.T.)
| | - Carmine Tomasetti
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry and Psychopharmacotherapeutics, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, University School of Medicine “Federico II”, Naples 80131, Italy; E-Mails: (F.I.); (C.T.)
| | - Alessandro Valchera
- Hermanas Hospitalarias, FoRiPsi, Villa S. Giuseppe Hospital, Ascoli Piceno 63100, Italy; E-Mail:
| | - Giampaolo Perna
- Hermanas Hospitalarias, FoRiPsi, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Villa San Benedetto Menni, Albese con Cassano, Como 22032, Italy; E-Mail:
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Leonard Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, 33124 Miami, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, University of Maastricht, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Maria-Antonia Quera-Salva
- AP-HP Sleep Unit, Department of Physiology, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Garches 92380, France; E-Mail:
| | - Giovanni Martinotti
- Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, Chair of Psychiatry, University “G. D’Annunzio”, Chieti 66013, Italy; E-Mails: (G.M.); (M. G.)
| | - Massimo di Giannantonio
- Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, Chair of Psychiatry, University “G. D’Annunzio”, Chieti 66013, Italy; E-Mails: (G.M.); (M. G.)
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Lasaga M, Debeljuk L. Tachykinins and the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis: An update. Peptides 2011; 32:1972-8. [PMID: 21801774 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2011.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2011] [Revised: 07/08/2011] [Accepted: 07/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Tachykinins play a critical role in neuroendocrine regulation of reproduction. The best known members of the family are substance P (SP), neurokinin A and neurokinin B. Tachykinins mediate their biological actions through three G protein-coupled receptors, named NK1, NK2, and NK3. SP was suggested to play an important role in the ovulatory process in mammals and humans. Recent findings suggest a role of tachykinins in the aging of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis. A high presence of SP was found in the sheep pars tuberalis and evidence indicates that it may have some role in the control of prolactin secretion. The presence of SP was confirmed in Leydig cells of the rat testes of animals submitted to constant light or treated with estrogens. Tachykinins were found to increase the motility of human spermatozoa. Tachykinins were also found to be present in the mouse ovary and more specifically, in the granulose cells. It is possible that tachykinins may play an important role in the ovarian function. NKB has been implicated in the steroid feedback control of GnRH release. Human mutations in the gene encoding this peptide or its receptor (TACR3) lead to a defect in the control of GnRH. A specific subset of neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, colocalized three neuropeptides, kisspeptin, NKB and dynorphin. This subpopulation of neurons mediates the gonadal hormone feedback control of GnRH secretion. NKB/NK3 signaling plays a role in puberty onset and fertility in humans. This minireview summarizes the recent data about the action of tachykinins on the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Lasaga
- Research Institute for Reproduction, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Mukda S, Møller M, Ebadi M, Govitrapong P. The modulatory effect of substance P on rat pineal norepinephrine release and melatonin secretion. Neurosci Lett 2009; 461:258-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2009.06.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2009] [Revised: 06/11/2009] [Accepted: 06/13/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Møller M, Rath MF, Klein DC. The Perivascular Phagocyte of the Mouse Pineal Gland: an Antigen‐Presenting Cell. Chronobiol Int 2009; 23:393-401. [PMID: 16687312 DOI: 10.1080/07420520500521855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The perivascular space of the rat pineal gland is known to contain phagocytic cells that are immunoreactive for leukocyte antigens, and thus they appear to belong to the macrophage/microglial cell line. These cells also contain MHC class II proteins. We investigated this cell type in the pineal gland of mice. Actively phagocytosing cells with a prominent lysosomal system were found in the pericapillary spaces of the mouse pineal gland following intravenous injection of horseradish peroxidase. The cells also exhibited strong acid phosphatase activity. Perivascular cells were immunopositive for MHC class II protein and for CD68, a marker of monocytes/phagocytes. This study verifies that perivascular phagocytes with antigen-presenting properties are present in the mouse pineal gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten Møller
- Institute of Medical Anatomy, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Díaz López B, Debeljuk L. Prenatal melatonin and its interaction with tachykinins in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Reprod Fertil Dev 2007; 19:443-51. [PMID: 17394792 DOI: 10.1071/rd06140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2006] [Accepted: 01/21/2007] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The pineal gland, through its hormone melatonin, influences the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Tachykinins are bioactive peptides whose presence has been demonstrated in the pineal gland, hypothalamus, anterior pituitary gland and the gonads, in addition to other central and peripheral structures. Tachykinins have been demonstrated to influence the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, acting as paracrine factors at each of these levels. In the present review, we examine the available evidence supporting a role for melatonin in the regulation of reproductive functions, the possible role of tachykinins in pineal function and the possible interactions between melatonin and tachykinins in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Evidence is presented showing that melatonin, given to pregnant rats, influences the developmental pattern of tachykinins in the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary gland of the offspring during postnatal life. In the gonads, the effects of melatonin on the tachykinin developmental pattern were rather modest. In particular, in the present review, we have included a summary of our own work performed in the past few years on the effect of melatonin on tachykinin levels in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Díaz López
- Departamento de Biología Funcional, Area Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, C/Julián Clavería no. 6, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
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Rath MF, Muñoz E, Ganguly S, Morin F, Shi Q, Klein DC, Møller M. Expression of the Otx2 homeobox gene in the developing mammalian brain: embryonic and adult expression in the pineal gland. J Neurochem 2006; 97:556-66. [PMID: 16539656 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.03773.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Otx2 is a vertebrate homeobox gene, which has been found to be essential for the development of rostral brain regions and appears to play a role in the development of retinal photoreceptor cells and pinealocytes. In this study, the temporal expression pattern of Otx2 was revealed in the rat brain, with special emphasis on the pineal gland throughout late embryonic and postnatal stages. Widespread high expression of Otx2 in the embryonic brain becomes progressively restricted in the adult to the pineal gland. Crx (cone-rod homeobox), a downstream target gene of Otx2, showed a pineal expression pattern similar to that of Otx2, although there was a distinct lag in time of onset. Otx2 protein was identified in pineal extracts and found to be localized in pinealocytes. Total pineal Otx2 mRNA did not show day-night variation, nor was it influenced by removal of the sympathetic input, indicating that the level of Otx2 mRNA appears to be independent of the photoneural input to the gland. Our results are consistent with the view that pineal expression of Otx2 is required for development and we hypothesize that it plays a role in the adult in controlling the expression of the cluster of genes associated with phototransduction and melatonin synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin F Rath
- Institute of Medical Anatomy, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
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Winther AME, Acebes A, Ferrús A. Tachykinin-related peptides modulate odor perception and locomotor activity in Drosophila. Mol Cell Neurosci 2006; 31:399-406. [PMID: 16289899 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2005.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2005] [Revised: 10/09/2005] [Accepted: 10/14/2005] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The invertebrate tachykinin-related peptides (TKRPs) constitute a conserved family, structurally related to the mammalian tachykinins, including members such as substance P and neurokinins A and B. Although their expression has been documented in the brains of insects and mammals, their neural functions remain largely unknown, particularly in behavior. Here, we have studied the role of TKRPs in Drosophila. We have analyzed the olfactory perception and the locomotor activity of individuals in which TKRPs are eliminated in the nervous system specifically, by using RNAi constructs to silence gene expression. The perception of specific odorants and concentrations is modified towards a loss of sensitivity, thus resulting in a significant change of the behavioral response towards indifference. In locomotion assays, the TKRP-deficient flies show hyperactivity. We conclude that these peptides are modulators of olfactory perception and locomotion activity in agreement with their abundant expression in the olfactory lobes and central complex. In these brain centers, TKRPs seem to enhance the regulatory inhibition of the neurons in which they are expressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asa M E Winther
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
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