Science · 1995 · 342 citations · 27 references
Life SciencesBiochemistryMolecular BiologyCircadian RhythmsGene ExpressionNeuroendocrinologyCircadian Clock MechanismsCircadian EndocrinologyCircadian Gene ExpressionCircadian Molecular MechanismsCircadian PhysiologySeasonal EndocrinologyCircadian NeurobiologyMelatonin BiosynthesisMelatonin PhysiologyPineal Gland FunctionPineal Gland PhysiologyPineal Melatonin SynthesisSeasonal Neuroendocrine ControlSeasonal Neuroendocrine Regulation
Pineal serotonin N-acetyltransferase (arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase, or AA-NAT) generates the large circadian rhythm in melatonin, the hormone that coordinates daily and seasonal physiology in some mammals. Complementary DNA encoding ovine AA-NAT was cloned. The abundance of AA-NAT messenger RNA (mRNA) during the day was high in the ovine pineal gland and somewhat lower in retina. AA-NAT mRNA was found unexpectedly in the pituitary gland and in some brain regions. The night-to-day ratio of ovine pineal AA-NAT mRNA is less than 2. In contrast, the ratio exceeds 150 in rats. AA-NAT represents a family within a large superfamily of acetyltransferases.
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Stephen F. Altschul, Warren Gish, Webb Miller et al. · Journal of Molecular Biology · 1990 · 94.5K citations