Suppression of melatonin biosynthesis in the chicken pineal gland by retinally perceived light - involvement of D1-dopamine receptors

In this study the role of retinal dopamine (DA) receptors in the light-induced suppression of melatonin biosynthesis in the chicken pineal gland was examined. Exposure of dark-adapted chickens to low intensity light (4 lux) at night significantly decreased the activity of serotonin N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT; the penultimate and key regulatory enzyme in melatonin production) and metatonin content in the pineal gland. This suppressive action of light was blocked by intraocular (i.oc.) administration of SCH 23390 (a selective antagonist of D1-DA receptors), but was not affected by sulpiride (a selective antagonist of D2-DA receptors). Injection of DA (i.oc.) to dark-adapted chickens significantly decreased pineal AA-NAT activity and melatonin content in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The action of DA was mimicked by selective agonists of D1-DA receptors, SKF 38393 and SKF 81297, and non-hydrolyzable analogs of cyclic AMP (cAMP), dibutyryl-cAMP and 8-bromo-cAMP. However, i.oc. administration of quinpirole, a selective agonist of D2-DA receptors, did not modify pineal AA-NAT activity. In contrast, quinpirole potently decreased nocturnal AA-NAT activity in the retina. Systemic administration of SCH 23390 to chickens blocked the i.oc. DA-evoked decline in nighttime pineal AA-NAT activity, whereas sulpiride was ineffective. These findings indicate that light activation of retinal dopaminergic neurotransmission, with concomitant stimulation of D1-DA receptors positively coupled to the cAMP generating system, plays an important role in a cascade of events regulating pineal activity.