Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

2( sup 125 I)Iodomelatonin binding sites in spleens of guinea pigs

Journal Article · · Life Sciences; (United States)
 [1];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Hong Kong, (Hong Kong)
  2. Clarke Inst. of Psychiatry, Toronto, Ontario (Canada)
2-({sup 125}I)Iodomelatonin was found to bind specifically to the membrane preparations of the spleens of guinea pigs with high affinity. The binding was rapid, stable, saturable and reversible. Scatchard analysis of the binding assays revealed an equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of 49.8{plus minus}4.12 pmol/l and binding site density (Bmax) of 0.69{plus minus}0.082 fmol/mg protein at mid-light. There was no significant change in the Kd or the Bmax at mid-dark. Kinetic analysis showed a Kd of 23.13{plus minus}4.81 pmol/l, in agreement to that derived from the saturation studies. The 2-({sup 125}I)iodomelatonin binding sites have the following order of potency: 2-iodomelatonin > melatonin > 6-chloromelatonin {much gt} N-acetylserotonin, 6-hydroxymelatonin > 5-methoxytryptamine, 5-methoxytryptophol > serotonin, 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid > 5-hydroxytryptophol, 3-acetylindole, 1-acetylindole-3-carboxyaldehyde, L-tryptophan > tryptamine, 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid. Differential centrifugation studies showed that the binding sites are localized mainly in the nuclear fraction, the rest are distributed in the microsomal fraction, mitochondrial fraction and cytosolic fraction. The demonstration of 2-({sup 125}I)iodomelatonin binding sites in the spleen suggests the presence of melatonin receptors and a direct mechanism of action of melatonin on the immune system.
OSTI ID:
5378558
Journal Information:
Life Sciences; (United States), Journal Name: Life Sciences; (United States) Vol. 50:22; ISSN 0024-3205; ISSN LIFSA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English