Regulation of hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase gene expression in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Hydroxyindole-O-methyltrasferase (HIOMT) plays an important role as the final enzyme in the synthesis of melatonin. In this study, the expression of the HIOMT gene in Japanese quail was investigated with respect to tissue distribution and the effects of light and vitamin A deficiency. HIOMT mRNA in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry biotechnology, and biochemistry, 2001-11, Vol.65 (11), p.2504-2511
Main Authors: Fu, Z. (Tokyo Univ. (Japan)), Kato, H, Kotera, N, Noguchi, T, Sugahara, K, Kubo, T
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase - genetics
Animals
arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase
Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase - genetics
Base Sequence
Biological and medical sciences
BIOLOGICAL RHYTHMS
Biotechnology
Circadian Rhythm
Cloning, Molecular
Coturnix
DNA, Complementary - genetics
ENZYME ACTIVITY
Eye - enzymology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
GENE EXPRESSION
Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic - radiation effects
hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase
Light
Male
MELATONIN
Melatonin - biosynthesis
PINEAL BODY
pineal gland
Pineal Gland - enzymology
QUAILS
RNA, Messenger - genetics
RNA, Messenger - metabolism
Testis - enzymology
Tissue Distribution
vitamin A
Vitamin A Deficiency - enzymology
Vitamin A Deficiency - genetics
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Summary:Hydroxyindole-O-methyltrasferase (HIOMT) plays an important role as the final enzyme in the synthesis of melatonin. In this study, the expression of the HIOMT gene in Japanese quail was investigated with respect to tissue distribution and the effects of light and vitamin A deficiency. HIOMT mRNA in the pineal gland and eye had a clear daily rhythm with peak values in daytime. The testis also contained a detectable amount of HIOMT mRNA, which did not display a rhythmic change over a 24-h period. When birds were rendered vitamin A deficient through feeding with a vitamin A-free diet, the daily rhythm of the IOMT gene almost disappeared in both the pineal gland and eye due to increases in the nighttime values. Our previous observations and these results suggest that vitamin A and a photo-signal are required to maintain the rhythmic expression of the HIOMT gene as well as the arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase gene.
ISSN:0916-8451
1347-6947
DOI:10.1271/bbb.65.2504