Melatonin modulation of presynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors located on short noradrenergic neurons of the rat vas deferens: a pharmacological characterization

Author(s)

W.M. Zago ^[1] ; R.P. Markus ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade de São Paulo - Brasil

^[2] Universidade de São Paulo - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research; v. 32, n. 8, p. 1039-1043, 1999-08-00.

Abstract

Melatonin, the pineal hormone produced during the dark phase of the light-dark cycle, modulates neuronal acetylcholine receptors located presynaptically on nerve terminals of the rat vas deferens. Recently we showed the presence of high affinity nicotine-binding sites during the light phase, and low and high affinity binding sites during the dark phase. The appearance of the low affinity binding sites was due to the nocturnal melatonin surge and could be mimicked by exposure to melatonin in vitro. The aim of the present research was to identify the receptor subtypes responsible for the functional response during the light and the dark phase. The rank order of potency of agonists was dimethylphenylpiperazinium (DMPP) = cytisine > nicotine > carbachol and DMPP = nicotine = cytisine > carbachol, during the light and dark phase, respectively, due to an increase in apparent affinity for nicotine. Mecamylamine similarly blocked the DMPP response during the light and the dark phase, while the response to nicotine was more efficiently blocked during the light phase. In contrast, methyllycaconitine inhibited the nicotine-induced response only at 21:00 h. Since <FONT FACE="Symbol">a</font>7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have low affinity for nicotine in binding assays, we suggest that a mixed population composed of <FONT FACE="Symbol">a</font>3ß4 - plus <FONT FACE="Symbol">a</font>7-bearing nAChR subtypes is present at night. This plasticity in receptor subtypes is probably driven by melatonin since nicotine-induced contraction in organs from animals sacrificed at 15:00 h and incubated with melatonin (100 pg/ml, 4 h) is not totally blocked by mecamylamine. Thus melatonin, by acting directly on the short adrenergic neurons that innervate the rat vas deferens, induces the appearance of the low affinity binding site, probably an <FONT FACE="Symbol">a</font>7 nAChR subtype. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 96/04497-0 - Pineal Gland and Melatonin - Physiological and Physiopathological Modulation
• Grantee: Regina Pekelmann Markus
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants