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Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IJBB) >
IJBB Vol.45 [2008] >
IJBB Vol.45(5) [October 2008] >
| Title: | Melatonin: Fifty Years of Scientific Journey from the Discovery in Bovine Pineal Gland to Delineation of Functions in Human |
| Authors: | Chowdhury, Indrajit
Sengupta, Anamika
Maitra, Saumen Kumar |
| Keywords: | AA-NAT
Biological rhythm
Cancer
Melatonin
Pineal gland
Reproduction
Seasonal affective disorder Suprachiasmatic nucleus
Sleep
Jet-lag. |
| Issue Date: | Oct-2008 |
| Publisher: | CSIR |
| Abstract: | Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) was first purified and characterized from the bovine pineal gland extract by
Aron Lerner and co-workers in 1958. Since then, a plethora of information has piled up on its biosynthesis, metabolism,
time-bound periodicity, physiological and patho-physiological functions, as well as its interactions with other endocrine or
neuro-endocrine organs and tissues in the body. Melatonin has wide range of applications in physiology and biomedical
fields. In recent years, a significant progress has been made in the understanding mechanism of its actions at the cellular and
molecular levels. Consistent efforts have uncovered the mystery of this indoleamine, and demonstrated its role in regulation
of a large as well as diverse body functions in different groups of animals in general, and in humans in particular. Current
review, in commemoration of 50 years of discovery of melatonin, while revisiting the established dogmas, summarizes
current information on biosynthesis, secretion, metabolism and molecular mechanism of action of melatonin at cellular level
and highlights the recent research on its role in human physiology and clinical biology. |
| Page(s): | 289-304 |
| ISSN: | 0301-1208 |
| Source: | IJBB Vol.45(5) [October 2008]
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