James Olcese

International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. LXXV. Nomenclature, Classification, and Pharmacology of G Protein-Coupled Melatonin Receptors

The hormone melatonin (5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine) is synthesized primarily in the pineal gland and retina, and in several peripheral tissues and organs. In the circulation, the concentration of melatonin follows a circadian rhythm, with high levels at night providing timing cues to target tissues endowed with melatonin receptors. Melatonin receptors receive and translate melatonins message to influence daily and seasonal rhythms of physiology and behavior. The melatonin message is translated through activation of two G protein-coupled receptors, MT1 and MT2, that are potential therapeutic targets in disorders ranging from insomnia and circadian sleep disorders to depression, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. This review summarizes the steps taken since melatonins discovery by Aaron Lerner in 1958 to functionally characterize, clone, and localize receptors in mammalian tissues. The pharmacological and molecular properties of the receptors are described as well as current efforts to discover and develop ligands for treatment of a number of illnesses, including sleep disorders, depression, and cancer.

Protection against cognitive deficits and markers of neurodegeneration by long-term oral administration of melatonin in a transgenic model of Alzheimer disease.

Abstract:  The neurohormone melatonin has been reported to exert anti‐β‐amyloid aggregation, antioxidant, and anti‐inflammatory actions in various in vitro and animal models. To comprehensively determine the potential for long‐term melatonin treatment to protect Alzheimer’s transgenic mice against cognitive impairment and development of β‐amyloid (Aβ) neuropathology, we administered melatonin (100 mg/L drinking water) to APP + PS1 double transgenic (Tg) mice from 2–2.5 months of age to their killing at age 7.5 months. A comprehensive behavioral battery administered during the final 6 weeks of treatment revealed that Tg mice given melatonin were protected from cognitive impairment in a variety of tasks of working memory, spatial reference learning/memory, and basic mnemonic function; Tg control mice remained impaired in all of these cognitive tasks/domains. Immunoreactive Aβ deposition was significantly reduced in hippocampus (43%) and entorhinal cortex (37%) of melatonin‐treated Tg mice. Although soluble and oligomeric forms of Aβ1‐40 and 1‐42 were unchanged in the hippocampus and cortex of the same melatonin‐treated Tg mice, their plasma Aβ levels were elevated. These Aβ results, together with our concurrent demonstration that melatonin suppresses Aβ aggregation in brain homogenates, are consistent with a melatonin‐facilitated removal of Aβ from the brain. Inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α were decreased in hippocampus (but not plasma) of Tg+ melatonin mice. Finally, the cortical mRNA expression of three antioxidant enzymes (SOD‐1, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase) was significantly reduced to non‐Tg levels by long‐term melatonin treatment in Tg mice. Thus, melatonin’s cognitive benefits could involve its anti‐Aβ aggregation, anti‐inflammatory, and/or antioxidant properties. Our findings provide support for long‐term melatonin therapy as a primary or complementary strategy for abating the progression of Alzheimer disease.

Evidence for the involvement of the visual system in mediating magnetic field effects on pineal melatonin synthesis in the rat

In order to elucidate whether magnetic field effects on mammalian pineal function are direct, or instead indirect via retinal disturbances, acutely blinded and intact male rats were subjected to a single nocturnal magnetic stimulus. Then pineal N-acetyltransferase activity and melatonin content were assayed. Only in intact animals did the magnetic stimulus significantly reduce pineal activity, i.e. no effects were detected in blinded animals. These data point to a retinal magnetosensitivity which may serve to modulate pineal gland function.

Transcription Factors in Neuroendocrine Regulation: Rhythmic Changes in pCREB and ICER Levels Frame Melatonin Synthesis

Neurotransmitter-driven activation of transcription factors is important for control of neuronal and neuroendocrine functions. We show with an in vivo approach that the norepinephrine cAMP-dependent rhythmic hormone production in rat pineal gland is accompanied by a temporally regulated switch in the ratio of a transcriptional activator, phosphorylated cAMP-responsive element–binding protein (pCREB), and a transcriptional inhibitor, inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER). pCREB accumulates endogenously at the beginning of the dark period and declines during the second half of the night. Concomitant with this decline, the amount of ICER rises. The changing ratio between pCREB and ICER shapes thein vivo dynamics in mRNA and, thus, protein levels of arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase, the rate-limiting enzyme of melatonin synthesis. Consequently, a silenced ICER expression in pinealocytes leads to a disinhibited arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase transcription and a primarily enhanced melatonin synthesis.

Melatonin treatment restores mitochondrial function in Alzheimer's mice: a mitochondrial protective role of melatonin membrane receptor signaling.

Abstract:  Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and is observed in mutant amyloid precursor protein (APP) transgenic mouse models of familial AD. Melatonin is a potent antioxidant, can prevent toxic aggregation of Alzheimer’s beta‐amyloid (Aβ) peptide and, when taken long term, can protect against cognitive deficits in APP transgenic mice. To study the effects of melatonin on brain mitochondrial function in an AD model, APP/PS1 transgenic mice were treated for 1 month with melatonin. Analysis of isolated brain mitochondria from mice indicated that melatonin treatment decreased mitochondrial Aβ levels by two‐ to fourfold in different brain regions. This was accompanied by a near complete restoration of mitochondrial respiratory rates, membrane potential, and ATP levels in isolated mitochondria from the hippocampus, cortex, or striatum. When isolated mitochondria from untreated young mice were given melatonin, a slight increase in respiratory rate was observed. No such effect was observed in mitochondria from aged mice. In APP‐expressing neuroblastoma cells in culture, mitochondrial function was restored by melatonin or by the structurally related compounds indole‐3‐propionic acid or N(1)‐acetyl‐N(2)‐formyl‐5‐methoxykynuramine. This restoration was partially blocked by melatonin receptor antagonists indicating melatonin receptor signaling is required for the full effect. Therefore, treatments that stimulate melatonin receptor signaling may be beneficial for restoring mitochondrial function in AD, and preservation of mitochondrial function may an important mechanism by which long term melatonin treatment delays cognitive dysfunction in AD mice.

Magnetic field effects on pineal gland melatonin synthesis: comparative studies on albino and pigmented rodents

Previous investigations have shown that the inhibitory effects of an earth-strength magnetic field on albino rat pineal melatonin synthesis is dependent on optic input. The possibility that ocular pigmentation might play a role in mammalian magnetosensitivity was explored in the present study by comparing hooded rat and golden hamsters with albino rats. Pineal melatonin synthesis, i.e. N-acetyl-transferase activity and melatonin content, was utilized as a parameter for assessing magnetosensitivity. In both rat strains nocturnal pineal melatonin synthesis was markedly inhibited following a single 30-min magnetic field stimulus consisting of a 50 degree rotation of the earths field horizontal component. However, golden hamsters did not respond to the same magnetic stimulus, indicating a species-specific magnetosensitivity that is apparently independent of ocular pigmentation. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed.

Melatonin Synergizes with Oxytocin to Enhance Contractility of Human Myometrial Smooth Muscle Cells

CONTEXT Studies have shown that labor occurs primarily in the night/morning hours. Recently, we identified the human myometrium as a target for melatonin (MEL), the neuroendocrine output signal coding for circadian night. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of MEL on contractility and the contractile machinery in telomerase-immortalized human myometrial cells. DESIGN To ascertain the effect of MEL on myometrial contractility in vitro, we performed gel retraction assays with cells exposed to iodomelatonin +/- oxytocin (OT). The effects of iodomelatonin on gap junctions were also investigated. Additionally, expression levels of the type 2 MEL receptor (MT2R) were assessed in myometrial biopsies from term pregnant women with or without labor. RESULTS MEL was found to synergistically enhance OT-induced contractility via the MT2R, which is coupled to a protein kinase C-dependent increase in phosphorylation of the myosin light chain protein. MT2R expression was markedly elevated in samples from pregnant women who had entered labor, as compared to matched nonlaboring pregnant women. MEL increased expression of the gap junction protein, connexin 43. In vitro dye spread assays showed that MEL-treated cells displayed substantially increased intercellular coupling. Increases in connexin 43 mRNA and cell to cell coupling were also found to be mediated via the MT2R in a protein kinase C-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS MEL synergizes with OT to promote myometrial cell contractions and to facilitate gap junction activity in vitro. Such a synergy in vivo would promote coordinated and forceful contractions of the late term pregnant uterus necessary for parturition.

Neuropeptide Y : an endogenous inhibitor of norepinephrine-stimulated melatonin secretion in the rat pineal gland

The biosynthesis of the hormone melatonin (MEL) by the mammalian pineal gland has been thought to be regulated strictly by stimulatory factors, most predominantly norepinephrine (NE), released from the sympathetic nerve fibers which heavily innervate the gland. Evidence from many investigators suggests that sympathetic fibers may colocalize other neuroactive factors in addition to NE. One of these factors is neuropeptide Y (NPY), which has been found in the nerve fibers of the pineal gland. The present study sought to explore potential interactions between NE and NPY in the regulation of pineal MEL secretion. Specific, saturable, and reversible binding of 125I‐NPY to intact cultured pine‐ alocytes was measured with an affinity constant of 1 nM and an NPY binding site density of 0.04 pmol/mg of protein. In addition, cell culture studies revealed that NPY represents a potent (IC50 of 0.4 nM) endogenous inhibitor of NE‐stimulated MEL secretion. However, this inhibition is accompanied by only a modest reduction (35%) of cyclic AMP accumulation. These findings reinforce the view that the mammalian pineal gland, which appears to integrate both inhibitory as well as stimulatory signals, is an important model of autonomic function, particularly in the context of biological rhythmicity.

Diurnal variations in the physiology of the goldfish, Carassius auratus

Abstract Liver glycogen, liver lipid, liver triglycerides, plasma glucose, plasma total lipid, plasma cholesterol, plasma corticoids, hypothalamic serotonin and pituitary pro‐lactin levels were assayed at five times over a 24‐h period in Carassius auratus maintained under a specific photoperiod regime at various times throughout the year. Diurnal variations were observed in all parameters monitored. Daily variations of liver glycogen, plasma glucose, plasma lipid, plasma corticoids and hypothalamic serotonin were affected by time of feeding. Liver glycogen, plasma lipid and plasma corticoid levels were also affected by time of feeding. Diurnal variations of liver glycogen, plasma glucose and plasma lipid were influenced by light‐dark cycles. These data illustrate that feeding time, photoperiod and time of sacrifice are important considerations in the study of metabolic and hormonal parameters in fishes.

Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Peptide‐38 (PACAP‐38), PACAP‐27, and PACAP Related Peptide (PRP) in the Rat Median Eminence and Pituitary

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP) is a member of the vasoactive intestinal peptide‐like peptide family. It is found in the hypothalamus, where the PACAP precursor is processed to form PACAP‐38, the C‐terminal truncated PACAP‐27 and PACAP related peptide (PRP). Both PACAPs are potent stimulators of anterior pituitary adenylate cyclase activity, but the physiologically relevant anatomical sources of PACAP and possible importance of PRP in this regard are poorly understood. Using immunocytochemistry with epitope‐specific antisera, we now show that PACAPS38, PACAP27‐ and PRP‐positive nerve fibres are all present in the rat median eminence. The major immunoreactive species present was PACAP38. Numerous PACAP38‐immmunoreactive nerve fibres were observed in the internal layer and a few were present in the posterior pituitary lobe. The external layer of the median eminence contained a few PACAP‐38‐immunoreactive fibres and PACAP‐38‐positive nerve terminals were rarely seen in the perivascular portal spaces. Surprisingly, delicate PACAP‐38‐positive nerve fibres were identified in the anterior pituitary lobe intermingled between the pituitary cells although none of the secretory pituitary cells contained immunoreactive PACAP38, PACAP27 or PRP and preproPACAP mRNA was not detected in the gland by Northern blotting or in situ hybridization. PACAP‐27‐ and PRP‐immunoreactive nerve fibres and terminals were found in the same locations as PACAP‐38 although generally in lower numbers. Specific radioimmunoassays and HPLC revealed that PACAP‐38 accounts for the vast majority of the adenohypophyseal PACAP‐immunoreactivity, whereas PACAP‐27 and PRP were found in low to undetectable concentrations. In primary cultures of rat pituitary cells and in the clonal gonadotrope‐derived aT3‐1 cell line, PACAP‐27 and PACAP‐38 were equipotent stimulators of cAMP accumulation, whereas PRP was ineffective. We conclude that the distribution of PACAP‐imrnunoreactive nerve fibres in the hypothalamus of the adult male rat is not that expected for a classic releasing factor suggesting that other sources of PACAP are relevant for stimulation of anterior pituitary cells or that the hypothalamic PACAP system is activated under specific endocrine or developmental conditions.