Melatonin and its metabolites: New findings regarding their production and their radical scavenging actions

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Abstract

This review summarizes some of the recent findings concerning the long-held tenet that the enzyme, N-acetyltransferase, which is involved in the production of N-acetylserotonin, the immediate precursor of melatonin, may in fact not always control the quantity of melatonin generated. New evidence from several different laboratories indicates that hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase, which O-methylates N-acetylserotonin to melatonin may be rate-limiting in some cases. Also, the review makes the point that melatonin's actions are uncommonly widespread in organs due to the fact that it works via membrane receptors, nuclear receptors/binding sites and receptor-independent mechanisms, i.e., the direct scavenging of free radicals. Finally, the review briefly summarizes the actions of melatonin and its metabolites in the detoxification of oxygen and nitrogen-based free radicals and related non-radical products. Via these multiple processes, melatonin is capable of influencing the metabolism of every cell in the organism.

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APA

Reiter, R. J., Tan, D. X., Terron, M. P., Flores, L. J., & Czarnocki, Z. (2007). Melatonin and its metabolites: New findings regarding their production and their radical scavenging actions. Acta Biochimica Polonica. Acta Biochimica Polonica. https://doi.org/10.18388/abp.2007_3264

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