The Pineal Gland of the Mole (Talpa Europaea L.). VII. Activity of Hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) in the Formation of 5-methoxytryptophan, 5-methoxytryptamine, 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic Acid, 5-methoxytryptophol and Melantonin in the Eyes...

Overview

Journal J Neural Transm

Specialties Neurology
Physiology

Date 1981 Jan 1

PMID 6169801

Citations 6

Authors

P Pevet

M G Balemans

G F de Reuver

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Using a method in which no substrate is added to the incubation medium, the capacity of HIOMT to synthesize 5-methoxytryptophan, 5-methoxytryptamine, 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid, 5-methoxytryptophol and melatonin has been determined in the pineal and the eyes of the mole, a mammal having an atrophied visual system. The results demonstrate that the indoleamine metabolism in the retina is similar to the indoleamine metabolism in the pineal. Moreover, in all animals studied both eyes together synthesize 2 to 30 times more of 5-methoxyindoles than the pineal, a result which proves again that the pineal is not the only and not always the most important source of 5-methoxyindoles. With the exception of 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid, the synthesis of which is practically neglectable, the production of all other 5-methoxyindoles in the pineal as well as in the retinae is always larger than that of melatonin. In the pineal, 5-methoxytryptophan, for example, is synthesized in a quantity which is 60 to 170 times larger than that of melatonin, while in the retinae the synthesized amount of 5-methoxytryptophan is even 60 to 1000 times larger than that of melatonin.

Citing Articles

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Daily 5-methoxytryptamine injections inhibit short-day-induced testicular atrophy in golden hamsters.

Pevet P J Neural Transm. 1982; 55(1):95-9.

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Effect of 5-methoxytryptamine on testicular atrophy induced by experimental or natural short photo-periods in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus).

Pevet P J Neural Transm. 1982; 55(1):69-84.

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The independency of an intact pineal gland of the inhibition by 5-methoxytryptamine of the reproductive organs in the male hamster.

Pevet P, Ocal T J Neural Transm. 1981; 52(1-2):95-106.

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Effect of 5-methoxytryptophan and 5-methoxytryptamine on the reproductive system of the male golden hamster.

Pevet P, Ocal T J Neural Transm. 1981; 51(3-4):303-11.

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