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Melatonin synthesis pathway: circadian regulation of the genes encoding the key enzymes in the chicken pineal gland and retina
Daily rhythms control key melatonin-making genes in the chicken’s light-sensing glands and eyes
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Abstract
The mRNAs for three melatonin synthesis enzymes exhibit a day/night rhythm in the chicken pineal gland and retina.
- TPH and AANAT mRNA levels peak at night, while HIOMT mRNA levels peak at night in the retina but during the day in the pineal gland.
- The expression rhythm of TPH, AANAT, and HIOMT mRNAs persists in constant darkness in the pineal gland, indicating control by the circadian oscillator.
- In the retina, TPH and AANAT mRNA rhythms also persist in constant darkness, suggesting they are influenced by a circadian oscillator.
- The rhythm of HIOMT mRNA in the retina appears to be regulated solely by light.
- Isolated chicken AANAT and HIOMT gene clones may facilitate understanding of their transcriptional regulation by circadian oscillators and light.
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