RGS2 is a feedback inhibitor of melatonin production in the pineal gland

Masahiro Matsuo, etc
FEBS Letters, 2013


The 24-h rhythmic production of melatonin by the pineal gland is essential for coordinating circadian physiology. Melatonin production increases at night in response to the release of norepinephrine from sympathetic nerve processes which innervate the pineal gland. This signal is transduced through G-protein-coupled adrenergic receptors. Here, we found that the abundance of regulator of G-protein signaling 2 (RGS2) increases at night, that expression is increased by norepinephrine and that this protein has a negative feedback effect on melatonin production. These data are consistent with the conclusion that RGS2 functions on a daily basis to negatively modulate melatonin production.

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Journal
FEBS Letters
Year
2013
Page
doi:10.1016/j.febslet.2013.03.016
Institute
NIH