[The hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus and pineal gland in the circadian rhythmic organization of mammals]. 2001

X J Zhou, and G D Yu, and Q Z Yin
Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Basic Medicine, Medical College of Suzhou University, Suzhou 215007.

The hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is a most important circadian pacemaker, which controls physiological and behaviour rhythm in mammals. SCN owns a intrinsic rhythm itself, and is entrained by photoperiodic signal and some endogenous chemical substances. Melatonin (MEL) is secreted by pineal gland, which is regulated by SCN. MEL triggers the second and third message systems, and regulates SCN circadian activity through high affinity MEL receptor within SCN. This regulation is time-sensitive.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008550 Melatonin A biogenic amine that is found in animals and plants. In mammals, melatonin is produced by the PINEAL GLAND. Its secretion increases in darkness and decreases during exposure to light. Melatonin is implicated in the regulation of SLEEP, mood, and REPRODUCTION. Melatonin is also an effective antioxidant.
D010870 Pineal Gland A light-sensitive neuroendocrine organ attached to the roof of the THIRD VENTRICLE of the brain. The pineal gland secretes MELATONIN, other BIOGENIC AMINES and NEUROPEPTIDES. Epiphysis Cerebri,Pineal Body,Corpus Pineale,Gland, Pineal,Pineal Bodies,Pineal Glands
D011956 Receptors, Cell Surface Cell surface proteins that bind signalling molecules external to the cell with high affinity and convert this extracellular event into one or more intracellular signals that alter the behavior of the target cell (From Alberts, Molecular Biology of the Cell, 2nd ed, pp693-5). Cell surface receptors, unlike enzymes, do not chemically alter their ligands. Cell Surface Receptor,Cell Surface Receptors,Hormone Receptors, Cell Surface,Receptors, Endogenous Substances,Cell Surface Hormone Receptors,Endogenous Substances Receptors,Receptor, Cell Surface,Surface Receptor, Cell
D002940 Circadian Rhythm The regular recurrence, in cycles of about 24 hours, of biological processes or activities, such as sensitivity to drugs or environmental and physiological stimuli. Diurnal Rhythm,Nyctohemeral Rhythm,Twenty-Four Hour Rhythm,Nycthemeral Rhythm,Circadian Rhythms,Diurnal Rhythms,Nycthemeral Rhythms,Nyctohemeral Rhythms,Rhythm, Circadian,Rhythm, Diurnal,Rhythm, Nycthemeral,Rhythm, Nyctohemeral,Rhythm, Twenty-Four Hour,Rhythms, Circadian,Rhythms, Diurnal,Rhythms, Nycthemeral,Rhythms, Nyctohemeral,Rhythms, Twenty-Four Hour,Twenty Four Hour Rhythm,Twenty-Four Hour Rhythms
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013493 Suprachiasmatic Nucleus An ovoid densely packed collection of small cells of the anterior hypothalamus lying close to the midline in a shallow impression of the OPTIC CHIASM. Hypothalamic Suprachiasmatic Nuclei,Hypothalamic Suprachiasmatic Nucleus,Suprachiasmatic Nuclei,Suprachiasmatic Nuclei, Hypothalamic,Suprachiasmatic Nucleus, Hypothalamic
D017440 Photoperiod The time period of daily exposure that an organism receives from daylight or artificial light. It is believed that photoperiodic responses may affect the control of energy balance and thermoregulation. Dark-Light Cycle,Daylight Cycle,Light Cycle,Light-Dark Cycle,Cycle, Dark-Light,Cycle, Daylight,Cycle, Light,Cycle, Light-Dark,Cycles, Dark-Light,Cycles, Daylight,Cycles, Light,Cycles, Light-Dark,Dark Light Cycle,Dark-Light Cycles,Daylight Cycles,Light Cycles,Light Dark Cycle,Light-Dark Cycles,Photoperiods
D044094 Receptors, Melatonin A family of G-protein-coupled receptors that are specific for and mediate the effects of MELATONIN. Activation of melatonin receptors has been associated with decreased intracellular CYCLIC AMP and increased hydrolysis of PHOSPHOINOSITIDES. Melatonin Receptors,MT3 Receptor,Mel(1c) Receptor,Melatonin MT3 Receptor,Receptor, Mel1c,Receptor, Melatonin,Receptor, Melatonin, 1C,Receptor, Melatonin, MT3,MT3 Receptor, Melatonin,Mel1c Receptor,Melatonin Receptor,Receptor, MT3,Receptor, Melatonin MT3
D018160 Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear Intracellular receptors that can be found in the cytoplasm or in the nucleus. They bind to extracellular signaling molecules that migrate through or are transported across the CELL MEMBRANE. Many members of this class of receptors occur in the cytoplasm and are transported to the CELL NUCLEUS upon ligand-binding where they signal via DNA-binding and transcription regulation. Also included in this category are receptors found on INTRACELLULAR MEMBRANES that act via mechanisms similar to CELL SURFACE RECEPTORS. Cytoplasmic Receptor,Cytoplasmic and Nuclear Receptors,Cytosolic and Nuclear Receptors,Hormone Receptors, Cytoplasmic,Hormone Receptors, Nuclear,Nuclear Hormone Receptor,Nuclear Receptor,Nuclear and Cytoplasmic Receptors,Cytoplasmic Hormone Receptors,Cytoplasmic Receptors,Cytosol and Nuclear Receptors,Intracellular Membrane Receptors,Nuclear Hormone Receptors,Nuclear Receptors,Receptors, Cytoplasmic,Receptors, Cytosol and Nuclear,Receptors, Cytosolic and Nuclear,Receptors, Intracellular Membrane,Receptors, Nuclear,Receptors, Nuclear and Cytoplasmic,Hormone Receptor, Nuclear,Membrane Receptors, Intracellular,Receptor, Cytoplasmic,Receptor, Nuclear,Receptor, Nuclear Hormone,Receptors, Cytoplasmic Hormone,Receptors, Nuclear Hormone

Related Publications

X J Zhou, and G D Yu, and Q Z Yin
August 2006, Sheng li xue bao : [Acta physiologica Sinica],
X J Zhou, and G D Yu, and Q Z Yin
August 1994, Neuroscience research,
X J Zhou, and G D Yu, and Q Z Yin
July 1978, Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946),
X J Zhou, and G D Yu, and Q Z Yin
November 2005, Brain research. Brain research reviews,
X J Zhou, and G D Yu, and Q Z Yin
January 2003, Handbook of clinical neurology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!