| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Peres, Rafael
[1]
;
Amaral, Fernanda Gaspardo
[1]
;
Marques, Antonio Carlos
[2]
;
Neto, Jose Cipolla
[1]
Total Authors: 4
|
| Affiliation: | [1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Physiol & Biophys, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Biosci Inst, Dept Zool, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | BIOLOGICAL BULLETIN; v. 226, n. 2, p. 146-151, APR 2014. |
| Web of Science Citations: | 6 |
| Abstract | |
The primary hormone of the vertebrate pineal gland, melatonin, has been identified broadly throughout the tree of life, in animals, plants, and fungi, supporting a deep evolutionary origin for this signaling molecule. However, some key groups have not been studied. Echinoderms, deuterostome animals, are one of these groups. Herein we study the presence of melatonin and enzymes of its pathway in the sea star Echinaster brasiliensis. We demonstrate that E. brasiliensis produces endogenous melatonin, in the gonads, under a circadian pattern with a nocturnal peak of production. We also show that the enzymes arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) are present and are probably regulating the melatonin production. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 09/51184-9 - Melatonin synthesis pathway in invertebrates: presence and functional aspects |
| Grantee: | José Cipolla Neto |
| Support Opportunities: | Regular Research Grants |
| FAPESP's process: | 09/01128-5 - Melatonin synthesis pathway in invertebrates: presence and functional aspects |
| Grantee: | Rafael Peres |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate |
| FAPESP's process: | 11/50242-5 - Dimensions of marine life: patterns and process of diversifications in planktonic and benthic cnidarians |
| Grantee: | Antonio Carlos Marques |
| Support Opportunities: | BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants |
| FAPESP's process: | 04/09961-4 - Biodiversity, evolution, endemism and conservation of the Medusozoa from the Southwestern Atlantic |
| Grantee: | Antonio Carlos Marques |
| Support Opportunities: | Research Projects - Thematic Grants |