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G Protein-Coupled melatonin receptors
Chapter

G Protein-Coupled melatonin receptors

Abstract

Increasing evidence indicates that melatonin, the principal hormone secreted by the pineal gland, influences the function of diverse neuroendocrine and other systems in mammals. This indoleamine hormone is also involved in maintaining brain homeostasis, entraining biological rhythms and coordinating reproductive function to changes in photoperiod, particularly in seasonal breeders (Brown, and Niles, 1982; Tamarkin et al, 1985; Reiter, 1991). Other studies indicate a potentially important immunomodulatory role for melatonin (Maestroni, 1993) that binds with high affinity to T-lymphocytes (Gonzalez-Haba et al., 1995). Recent reports that melatonin is a potent free radical scavenger suggest that it may also play an important role as a protective antioxidant hormone (Hardeland et al., 1993; Reiter, 1996).

Authors

Niles LP

Book title

G Protein Methods and Protocols

Volume

31

Pagination

pp. 223-281

Publisher

Springer Nature

Publication Date

July 14, 1997

DOI

10.1385/0-89603-490-9:223
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