ARAF, BRAF, CACNA1B, CACNA1C, CACNA1D, CACNA1E, CACNA1F, CACNA1G, CACNA1H, CACNA1S, CACNB2, CACNB4, CALM1, CALM2, CALM3, CAMK2A, CAMK2B, CAMK2D, CAMK2G, FOS, GNA11, GNA12, GNA13, GNA15, GNAI1, GNAI2, GNAI3, GNAQ, GNAS, GNB1, GNB2, GNB3, GNB5, GNG2, GNRH1, GNRH2, JUN, KCNK1, KCNK10, KCNK2, KCNK3, KCNK4, KCNK5, KCNK6, KC...NK9, KCNV2, KCTD12, MAP2K1, MAP2K2, MAP2K3, MAP2K4, MAP2K5, MAP2K6, MAPK1, MAPK10, MAPK3, MAPK8, MAPK9, MTNR1A, MTNR1B, PLCB1, PLCB2, PLCB3, PLCB4, PLCD1, PLCD3, PLCD4, PLCE1, PLCG1, PLCG2, PRKACA, PRKACB, PRKACG, PRKAR1A, PRKAR1B, PRKAR2A, PRKAR2B, PRKCA, PRKCB, PRKCD, PRKCE, PRKCG, PRKCH, PRKCI, PRKCQ, PRKCZ, PRKD1, RAF1, RORA, RORB, RORC, SLC2A4
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In mammals, the circadian system is comprised of three major components: the lateral eyes, the hypothalamic SCN (Suprachiasmatic Nucleus) and the pineal gland. The SCN harbors the endogenous oscillator that is entrained everyday to the ambient lighting co ...nditions via retinal input. Among the many circadian rhythms in the body that are driven by SCN output, the synthesis of Melatonin (N-Acetyl-5 Methoxy-Tryptamine) in the pineal gland functions as a hormonal message encoding for the duration of darkness. Melatonin is a hormone secreted mainly by the pineal gland or epiphysis; it is also produced, but in much smaller quantities, by the retina. Melatonin is produced nocturnally, and is a neurochemical representation of time. Dissemination of this circadian information relies on the activation of Melatonin receptors, which are most prominently expressed in the SCN, and the hypophyseal pars tuberalis, but also in many other tissues. Melatonin can activate or inhibit signal transduction cascades through receptors or independent of receptors. The hormone binds with high affinity in the picomolar range to the membrane receptors, and/or in the nanomolar range to the nuclear receptors (RZR/ROR) as well as to Calmodulin. At even higher concentrations Melatonin has a free radical scavenging function. There are multiple receptor subtypes available to which Melatonin can bind and activate. Two of the membrane Melatonin receptors subtypes are GPCRs (G-Protein Coupled Receptors). Each of the G-protein coupled Melatonin receptor subtypes, denoted as: MTNR1A (Melatonin Receptor-1A) and MTNR1B (Melatonin Receptor-1B), can couple to multiple signal transduction cascades. Membrane Melatonin receptors are expressed mainly in the central nervous system, whereas RZR (Retinoid Z Receptors)/ROR (Retinoid Orphan Receptors) is prominently expressed both in the periphery and the brain.
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