Abstract
N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, commonly known as melatonin, was initially thought to be synthesized exclusively in the pineal gland (Ebadi, 1984). However, subsequent examination of a variety of tissues indicates melatonin is very likely produced in the retina (Gern et al., 1978), the Harderian glands (Bubenik et al., 1976), the extra-orbital lacrimal glands (Mhatre et al., 1988), portions of the gastrointestinal tract (Vakkuri et al., 1985), and certain blood cells (Finocchiaro et al., 1988). The regulation of melatonin synthesis likely differs at these sites; the current brief survey will consider melatonin production exclusively in the mammalian pineal gland. Much of what is known concerning pineal melatonin production has been derived from studies in two species, the rat and the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). Thus, the current review will summarize the findings primarily from these species and the assumption will be made that the regulation of the conversion of serotonin to melatonin is similar in the pineal gland of other mammals.
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© 1991 Plenum Press, New York
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Reiter, R.J. (1991). Melatonin Synthesis: Multiplicity of Regulation. In: Schwarcz, R., Young, S.N., Brown, R.R. (eds) Kynurenine and Serotonin Pathways. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 294. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5952-4_13
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5952-4_13
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