Melatonin As a Hormone in Humans: a History

Overview

Journal Yale J Biol Med

Specialty Biology

Date 1985 Nov 1

PMID 3914144

Citations 5

Authors

R J Wurtman

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

This article describes the history of melatonin's transformation, in the perception of the biomedical community, from a skin-lightening agent in amphibians to a hormone in mammals, which may also exert important behavioral--and physiological--effects in humans.

Citing Articles

Systematic review of hormonal strategies to improve fertility in rams.

Garza-Brenner E, Sanchez-Davila F, Mauleon-Tolentino K, Zapata-Campos C, Luna-Palomera C, Hernandez-Melendez J Anim Reprod. 2024; 21(2):e20240007.

PMID: 38903866 PMC: 11189135. DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-AR2024-0007.

Melatonin: a ferroptosis inhibitor with potential therapeutic efficacy for the post-COVID-19 trajectory of accelerated brain aging and neurodegeneration.

Yehia A, Abulseoud O Mol Neurodegener. 2024; 19(1):36.

PMID: 38641847 PMC: 11031980. DOI: 10.1186/s13024-024-00728-6.

Urine citrate and 6-sulfatoximelatonin excretion during a training season in top kayakers.

Nunez P, Diaz E, Terrados N, Diaz B Eur J Appl Physiol. 2012; 112(12):4045-52.

PMID: 22466307 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-012-2388-7.

Oxidative stress, melatonin level, and sleep insufficiency among electronic equipment repairers.

El-Helaly M, Abu-Hashem E Indian J Occup Environ Med. 2011; 14(3):66-70.

PMID: 21461157 PMC: 3062017. DOI: 10.4103/0019-5278.75692.

Diurnal variation in the salivary melatonin responses to exercise: relation to exercise-mediated tachycardia.

Marrin K, Drust B, Gregson W, Morris C, Chester N, Atkinson G Eur J Appl Physiol. 2011; 111(11):2707-14.

PMID: 21399961 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-011-1890-7.

References

Wurtman R, Axelrod J, Phillips L . MELATONIN SYNTHESIS IN THE PINEAL GLAND: CONTROL BY LIGHT. Science. 1963; 142(3595):1071-3. DOI: 10.1126/science.142.3595.1071. View

Lynch H, Wurtman R, Moskowitz M, ARCHER M, Ho M . Daily rhythm in human urinary melatonin. Science. 1975; 187(4172):169-71. DOI: 10.1126/science.1167425. View

Rosenthal N, Sack D, Gillin J, Lewy A, Goodwin F, Davenport Y . Seasonal affective disorder. A description of the syndrome and preliminary findings with light therapy. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1984; 41(1):72-80. DOI: 10.1001/archpsyc.1984.01790120076010. View

ANTON-TAY F, Chou C, Anton S, Wurtman R . Brain serotonin concentration: elevation following intraperitoneal administration of melatonin. Science. 1968; 162(3850):277-8. DOI: 10.1126/science.162.3850.277. View

Adrendt J, Wetterberg L, Heyden T, SIZONENKO P, PAUNIER L . Radioimmunoassay of melatonin: human serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Horm Res. 1977; 8(2):65-75. DOI: 10.1159/000178782. View

Wurtman R, Axelrod J, Chu E . Melatonin, a pineal substance: effect on the rat ovary. Science. 1963; 141(3577):277-8. DOI: 10.1126/science.141.3577.277. View

Klein D, Weller J . Indole metabolism in the pineal gland: a circadian rhythm in N-acetyltransferase. Science. 1970; 169(3950):1093-5. DOI: 10.1126/science.169.3950.1093. View

Axelrod J, Wurtman R, WINGET C . MELATONIN SYNTHESIS IN THE HEN PINEAL GLAND AND ITS CONTROL BY LIGHT. Nature. 1964; 201:1134. DOI: 10.1038/2011134a0. View

Reiter R, Rollag M, Panke E, Banks A . Melatonin: reproductive effects. J Neural Transm Suppl. 1978; (13):209-23. View

10.

Fraschini F, Mess B, Martini L . Pineal gland, melatonin and the control of luteinizing hormone secretion. Endocrinology. 1968; 82(5):919-24. DOI: 10.1210/endo-82-5-919. View

11.

Wurtman R, Axelrod J, Fischer J . MELATONIN SYNTHESIS IN THE PINEAL GLAND: EFFECT OF LIGHT MEDIATED BY THE SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM. Science. 1963; 143(3612):1328-30. View

12.

Wurtman R, Roth W, Altschule M, Wurtman J . Interactions of the pineal and exposure to continuous light on organ weights of female rats. Acta Endocrinol (Copenh). 1961; 36:617-24. DOI: 10.1530/acta.0.0360617. View

13.

Moore R, Traynor M . Diurnal rhythms in pineal N-acetyltransferase and hippocampal norepinephrine: effects of water deprivation, blinding and hypothalamic lesions. Neuroendocrinology. 1976; 20(3):250-9. DOI: 10.1159/000122489. View

14.

Axelrod J, Wurtman R, Snyder S . CONTROL OF HYDROXYINDOLE O-METHYLTRANSFERASE ACTIVITY IN THE RAT PINEAL GLAND BY ENVIRONMENTAL LIGHTING. J Biol Chem. 1965; 240:949-54. View

15.

Axelrod J, TOMCHICK R . Enzymatic O-methylation of epinephrine and other catechols. J Biol Chem. 1958; 233(3):702-5. View

16.

Wurtman R, SHEIN H, Larin F . Mediation by -adrenergic receptors of effect of norepinephrine on pineal synthesis of ( 14 C)serotonin and ( 14 C)melatonin. J Neurochem. 1971; 18(9):1683-7. DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1971.tb03741.x. View

17.

Ralph C, Mull D, Lynch H, HEDLUND L . A melatonin rhythm persists in rat pineals in darkness. Endocrinology. 1971; 89(6):1361-6. DOI: 10.1210/endo-89-6-1361. View

18.

Axelrod J, Weissbach H . Purification and properties of hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferase. J Biol Chem. 1961; 236:211-3. View

19.

ANTON-TAY F, Wurtman R . Regional uptake of 3H-melatonin from blood or cerebrospinal fluid by rat brain. Nature. 1969; 221(5179):474-5. DOI: 10.1038/221474a0. View

20.

Tamarkin L, Westrom W, Hamill A, Goldman B . Effect of melatonin on the reproductive systems of male and female Syrian hamsters: a diurnal rhythm in sensitivity to melatonin. Endocrinology. 1976; 99(6):1534-41. DOI: 10.1210/endo-99-6-1534. View