PMID: 8971980Oct 1, 1996Paper

The role of glutamate in the photic regulation of the suprachiasmatic nucleus

Progress in Neurobiology
F J Ebling

Abstract

Endogenous circadian rhythms govern most aspects of physiology and behaviour in mammals, including body temperature, autonomic and endocrine function, and sleep-wake cycles. Such rhythms are generated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus (SCN), but are synchronised to the environmental light-dark cycle by photic cues perceived by the retina and conveyed to the SCN via the retinohypothalamic tract (RHT). This review considers many lines of evidence from diverse experimental approaches indicating that the RHT employs glutamate (or a related excitatory amino acid) as a neurotransmitter. Ultrastructural studies demonstrate the presence of glutamate in presynaptic terminals within the SCN. In situ hybridisation and immunocytochemical studies reveal the presence of several NMDA (NMDAR1, NMDAR2C), non-NMDA (GluR1, GluR2, GluR4) and metabotropic (mGluR1) glutamate receptor subunits in the SCN. Messenger RNA encoding a glutamate transporter protein is also present. In behavioural tests, glutamate antagonists can block the effects of light in phase-shifting circadian rhythms. Such treatments also block the induction of c-fos within SCN cells by light, whereas a glutamate agonist (NMDA) induces c-fos expression. In hypothala...Continue Reading

References

Nov 1, 1979·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·S T Inouye, H Kawamura
Jan 1, 1975·Journal of Neurochemistry·M BrownsteinJ M Saavedra
Nov 15, 1992·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·T StorckW Stoffel
Jan 1, 1992·Journal of Biological Rhythms·M R Ralph, N Mrosovsky
Jun 30, 1992·Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·H SugiharaS Nakanishi
Oct 1, 1992·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·G M DurandR S Zukin
Nov 7, 1991·Nature·K MoriyoshiS Nakanishi
Jan 1, 1991·Pharmacology & Therapeutics·M H Hastings
Jan 1, 1990·Neuroscience Letters·J J Galligan, R A North
Oct 1, 1990·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·J R MoffettM A Namboodiri
Dec 22, 1990·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·C Decavel, A N Van den Pol
Jul 16, 1990·Brain Research·C S ColwellM Menaker
Jan 1, 1990·Brain Research. Brain Research Reviews·J W McDonald, M V Johnston
Oct 8, 1990·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·J D RadelR D Lund

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Sep 22, 2009·Reviews in Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders·Michael C AntleBrooke D Rakai
May 5, 2005·Experimental Neurology·Gordon F Buchanan, Martha U Gillette
Jun 16, 2005·Neuroscience Letters·Hugh D PigginsBenjamin Rusak
May 12, 2004·Peptides·Jan Fahrenkrug, Jens Hannibal
Nov 22, 2002·Brain Research·Gurprit S Lall, Stephany M Biello
Sep 23, 2003·Brain Research·Hiroyoshi SeiYoshihiro Fukui
May 1, 1999·Journal of the Neurological Sciences·M R Bennett, W J Schwartz
Jul 16, 2002·Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior·I FeinbergK Anderson
Sep 1, 2000·Brain Research. Brain Research Reviews·K E van EsseveldtG J Boer
Nov 5, 1997·Trends in Neurosciences·M H Hastings
Oct 26, 2002·Brain Research. Molecular Brain Research·Supaporn AjpruDavid Sugden
Mar 12, 1998·Brain Research. Molecular Brain Research·H T ParkK W Bae
Mar 17, 1999·Brain Research Bulletin·F J EblingM H Hastings
Feb 18, 1998·Current Opinion in Neurobiology·M U Gillette
Jan 7, 2005·Nature Medicine·Vadim YuferovMary Jeanne Kreek
Feb 24, 2001·The European Journal of Neuroscience·H E ReedH D Piggins

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.