Melatonin Synthesis in the Pineal Gland: Control by Light
- 22 November 1963
- journal article
- Published by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Science
- Vol. 142 (3595), 1071-1073
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.142.3595.1071
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.Keywords
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