Abstract
It has been known that pinealocytes contain the highest level of D- aspartate among various neuroendocrine cells in the rat. Here, we report that exogenous D-aspartate strongly inhibited norepinephrine-dependent melatonin synthesis in the rat pineal gland, the concentration required for 50% inhibition being 75 μM. This inhibition was due at least partly to decreased norepinephrine-dependent serotonin N-acetyltransferase activity. Upon incubation, D-aspartate was gradually released from pinealocytes and accumulated in the incubation medium as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography on a Pirkle-type chiral column. These results suggest that D- aspartate acts as a negative regulator for melatonin synthesis in the pineal gland.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 143-146 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Neuroscience Letters |
Volume | 249 |
Issue number | 2-3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jun 19 1998 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Cyclic AMP
- D-Aspartate
- L-Glutamate
- Melatonin
- Pinealocyte
- Regulation
- Serotonin N- acetyltransferase
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience(all)