Int J Oral Biol.  2019 Jun;44(2):50-54. 10.11620/IJOB.2019.44.2.50.

Melatonin inhibits nicotinic acetylcholine receptor functions in bovine chromaffin cells

• Jo SH
• Lee SH
• Kim KT
• Choi SY

• KMID: 2452747
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11620/IJOB.2019.44.2.50

Abstract

Melatonin is a neurotransmitter that modulates various physiological phenomena including regulation and maintenance of the circadian rhythm. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play an important role in oral functions including orofacial muscle contraction, salivary secretion, and tooth development. However, knowledge regarding physiological crosstalk between melatonin and nAChRs is limited. In the present study, the melatonin-mediated modulation of nAChR functions using bovine adrenal chromaffin cells, a representative model for the study of nAChRs, was investigated. Melatonin inhibited the nicotinic agonist dimethylphenylpiperazinium (DMPP) iodide-induced cytosolic free Ca²âº concentration ([Ca²âº](i)) increase and norepinephrine secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect of melatonin on the DMPP-induced [Ca²âº](i) increase was observed when the melatonin treatment was performed simultaneously with DMPP. The results indicate that melatonin inhibits nAChR functions in both peripheral and central nervous systems.

Keyword

Melatonin; Nicotinic receptors; Calcium signaling; Neurotransmitter agents

MeSH Terms

Calcium Signaling
Central Nervous System
Chromaffin Cells*
Circadian Rhythm
Cytosol
Dimethylphenylpiperazinium Iodide
Melatonin*
Muscle Contraction
Neurotransmitter Agents
Nicotinic Agonists
Norepinephrine
Physiological Phenomena
Receptors, Nicotinic*
Tooth
Dimethylphenylpiperazinium Iodide
Melatonin
Neurotransmitter Agents
Nicotinic Agonists
Norepinephrine
Receptors, Nicotinic