Melatonin receptor type 1A is a
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, res ...
that in humans is encoded by the ''MTNR1A''
gene
In biology, the word gene (from , ; "... Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a b ...
.
Function
This gene encodes the MT
1 protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, res ...
, one of two high-affinity forms of a receptor for
melatonin, the primary hormone secreted by the
pineal gland. This receptor is a G protein-coupled, 7-transmembrane receptor that is responsible for melatonin effects on mammalian
circadian rhythm and reproductive alterations affected by day length. The receptor is an
integral membrane protein
An integral, or intrinsic, membrane protein (IMP) is a type of membrane protein that is permanently attached to the biological membrane. All ''transmembrane proteins'' are IMPs, but not all IMPs are transmembrane proteins. IMPs comprise a sign ...
that is readily detectable and localized to two specific regions of the brain. The
hypothalamic
The hypothalamus () is a part of the brain that contains a number of small nuclei with a variety of functions. One of the most important functions is to link the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus i ...
suprachiasmatic nucleus appears to be involved in circadian rhythm while the
hypophysial pars tuberalis may be responsible for the
reproductive effects of melatonin.
Ligands
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Melatonin – full agonist
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Afobazole
Fabomotizole ( INN; brand name Afobazole) is an anxiolytic drug launched in Russia in the early 2000s. It produces anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects without any sedative or muscle relaxant actions. Its mechanism of action remains poorly def ...
– agonist
#
Agomelatine – agonist
See also
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Melatonin receptor
Melatonin receptors are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) which bind melatonin. Three types of melatonin receptors have been cloned. The MT1 (or Mel1A or MTNR1A) and MT2 (or Mel1B or MTNR1B) receptor subtypes are present in humans and other ma ...
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Discovery and development of melatonin receptor agonists
Melatonin receptor agonists are analogues of melatonin that bind to and activate the melatonin receptor. Agonists of the melatonin receptor have a number of therapeutic applications including treatment of sleep disorders and depression. The dis ...
References
Further reading
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G protein-coupled receptors
Human proteins
1A
{{transmembranereceptor-stub