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

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Reiter R. J., Tan D.-x., Pilar Terron M., Flores L. J., Czarnocki Z.

2007

vol. 54

issue 1

1-9

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.

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1 Acta Biochimica Polonica

1 2007

1 Czarnocki Z.

1 Flores L. J.

1 Pilar Terron M.

1 Reiter R. J.

1 Tan D.-x.

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