Binding characteristics and daily rhythms of melatonin receptors are distinct in the retina and the brain areas of the European sea bass retina (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Melatonin is synthesized, with a circadian rhythm, in the pineal organ of vertebrates, high levels being produced during the scotophase and low levels during the photophase. The retina also produces melatonin, although in the case of the European sea bass, its secretion pattern appears to be inverted. In the study described here, radioreceptor assay techniques were used to characterize the melatonin binding sites, their regional distribution and their daily variations. Brain and retina membrane preparations were used in all the binding assays and 2[I-125]iodomelatonin ([I-125]Mel) as radioligand at 25 C. The specific binding of [1251]Mel was seen to be saturable, reversible, specific and of high affinity. In all the tissues assayed, the power of the ligands to inhibit [I-125]Mel binding decreased in the following order: melatonin much greater than4P-PDO>luzindolegreater than or equal toN-acetylserotonin, which points to the presence of Mel 1-like receptors. The inhibition curves of 4-P-PDOT suggested the presence of two different binding sites in the brain areas, but only one type of site of low affinity in the neural retina. No daily variations in [I-125]Mel binding capacity (B-max) or affinity (K-d) were detected in the brain areas, while a clear rhythm in K-d melatonin receptor affinity and B-max binding capacity was observed in the retina. K-d and B-max retinal rhythms were out of phase with the lowest K-d and the highest B-max occurring at scotophase. This result suggests that retinal melatonin is a paracrine factor able to control receptor desensitization during photophase when ocular melatonin is higher in this species. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.