Abstract
A melatonin-related receptor was cloned from an ovine genomic library, The sequenced gene has a similar structure to that of the melatonin receptor gene family and consists of two exons separated by an intron of approximately 3 kb, Exon 1 and exon 2 of the ovine melatonin-related receptor encode a protein of 575 amino acids which is 73.8% homologous to the human melatonin-related receptor and shows 40.9% homology with the ovine Mel(1a) melatonin receptor. COS-7 cells transiently expressing ovine melatonin-related receptors did not bind 2-[I-125]iodomelatonin or H-3-melatonin. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization studies revealed expression of the ovine melatonin-related receptor in the hypothalamus, pituitary, retina and retinal pigment epithelium, Furthermore, expression of the ovine melatonin-related receptor is shown to be coincident with Mel(1a) and 2-[I-125]iodomelatonin binding in the pituitary and serotonin N-acetyl transferase (arylalkylamine N-acetyl transferase, AANAT) expression in the retina. Expression patterns and similarity with the melatonin receptor gene family suggest a role for this novel G protein-coupled receptor in control and regulation of endocrine function and retinal physiology.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 651-661 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Journal of Neuroendocrinology |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sep 1998 |
Keywords
- melatonin-related receptors
- melatonin receptors
- hypothalamus
- pituitary
- retina
- N-acetyl transferase
- ovine
- 2-<I-125>IODOMELATONIN BINDING
- expression cloning
- pars-tuberalis
- messenger-RNA
- protein
- identification
- localization
- cells