The human serotonin N-acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.87) gene (AANAT): Structure, chromosomal localization, and tissue expression

Journal Article · Wed May 15 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · Genomics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1006/geno.1996.0243· OSTI ID:478561

Coon, S L; Bernard, M; Roseboom, P H ^[1]

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1. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (United States); and others

Serotonin N-acetyltransferase (arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase, AA-NAT, HGMW-approved symbol AANAT;EC 2.3.1.87) is the penultimate enzyme in melatonin synthesis and controls the night/day rhythm in melatonin production in the vertebrate pineal gland. We have found that the human AA-NAT gene spans {approx}2.5 kb, contains four exons, and is located at chromosome 17q25. The open reading frame encodes a 23.2-kDa protein that is {approx}80% identical to sheep and rat AA-NAT. The AA-NAT transcript ({approx}1 kb) is highly abundant in the pineal gland and is expressed at lower levels in the retina and in the Y79 retinoblastoma cell line. AA-NAT mRNA is also detectable at low levels in several brain regions and the pituitary gland, but not in several peripheral tissues examined. Brain and pituitary AA-NAT could modulate serotonin-dependent aspects of human behavior and pituitary function. 31 refs., 5 figs.

• OSTI ID: 478561
• Journal Information: Genomics, Journal Name: Genomics Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 34; ISSN 0888-7543; ISSN GNMCEP
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
AMINO ACID SEQUENCE
BIOSYNTHESIS
DNA SEQUENCING
DNA-CLONING
FLUORESCENCE
GENE REGULATION
GENETIC MAPPING
HUMAN CHROMOSOME 17
IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION
MELATONIN
PINEAL GLAND
PITUITARY GLAND
POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION
PROTEINS
RATS
SEROTONIN
SHEEP
STRUCTURE-ACTIVITY RELATIONSHIPS
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TRANSCRIPTION