N-Nitrosomelatonin Enhances Photic Synchronization Of Mammalian Circadian Rhythms

BAIDANOFF FM; PLANO, SA; DOCTOROVICH F; SUAREZ SA; GOLOMBEK, DA; CHIESA JJ

JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2013 p. 1 - 10

0022-3042

Most physiological processes in mammals are synchronized to the daily light:dark cycle by a circadian clock located in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus. Signal transduction of light-induced phase advances of the clock is mediated through a neuronal nitric oxide synthase-guanilyl cyclase pathway. We have employed a novel nitric oxide-donor, N-nitrosomelatonin, to enhance the photic synchronization of circadian rhythms in hamsters. The intraperitoneal administration of this drug before a sub-saturating light pulse at circadian time 18 generated a two-fold increase of locomotor rhythm phase-advances, having no effect over saturating light pulses. This potentiation was also obtained even when inhibiting suprachiasmatic nitric oxide synthase activity. However, N-nitrosomelatonin had no effect on light-induced phase delays at circadian time 14. The photic-enhancing effects were correlated with an increased suprachiasmatic immunoreactivity of cFOS and PER1. Moreover, in vivo nitric oxide release by N-nitrosomelatonin was verified by measuring nitrate and nitrite levels in suprachiasmatic nuclei homogenates. The compound also accelerated resynchronization to an abrupt 6-h advance in the light:dark cycle (but not resynchronization to a 6-hour delay). Here we demonstrate the chronobiotic properties of N-nitrosomelatonin, emphasizing the importance of nitric oxide-mediated transduction for circadian phase advances. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.