Melatonin and its metabolites: new findings regarding their production and their radical scavenging actions

• Authors: Russel J Reiter , Dun-xian Tan , M Pilar Terron , Luis J Flores , Zbigniew Czarnocki
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

This review summarizes some of the recent findings concerning the long-held tenet that the enzyme, N-acetyltransferase, which is involved in the production of N-acetylserotonin, the immediate precursor of melatonin, may in fact not always control the quantity of melatonin generated. New evidence from several different laboratories indicates that hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase, which O-methylates N-acetylserotonin to melatonin may be rate-limiting in some cases. Also, the review makes the point that melatonin's actions are uncommonly widespread in organs due to the fact that it works via membrane receptors, nuclear receptors/binding sites and receptor-independent mechanisms, i.e., the direct scavenging of free radicals. Finally, the review briefly summarizes the actions of melatonin and its metabolites in the detoxification of oxygen and nitrogen-based free radicals and related non-radical products. Via these multiple processes, melatonin is capable of influencing the metabolism of every cell in the organism.

Keywords

EN

electron donation; melatonin synthesis; free radicals; antioxidant; oxidative stress

• Publisher: Polish Biochemical Society
• Journal: Acta Biochimica Polonica
• Year: 2007
• Volume: 54
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 1-9

Dates

published

2007

received

2007-02-16

accepted

2007-02-27

(unknown)

2007-03-09

Contributors

author

Russel J Reiter

• Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, USA

author

Dun-xian Tan

• Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, USA

author

M Pilar Terron

• Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, USA

author

Luis J Flores

• Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, USA

author

Zbigniew Czarnocki

• Department of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warszawa, Poland

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