Hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) activity and the uptake of 3H-melatonin in the lamprey, Geotria australis gray

Jean M P Joss*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    29 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    HIOMT activity in the pineal complex of Geotria australis ammocoetes was found to reach a peak, 4-5-fold that of the basal value, between 2 and 3 hr after the onset of darkness. This short burst of HIOMT activity was associated with aggregation of pigment in the melanophores causing pallor in the ammocoetes. 3H-Melatonin was taken up by all the tissues examined (pineal complex, pituitary, endostyle, brain, liver, gut and tail muscle). It is concluded from these results that the pineal complex in Geotria australis is a photoneuroendocrine transducer conveying diurnal information to other body tissues.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)270-275
    Number of pages6
    JournalGeneral and Comparative Endocrinology
    Volume31
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1977

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