Melatonin, an endogenous signal of darkness, is an important component of the body's internal time-keeping system. As such it regulates major physiological processes including the sleep wake cycle, pubertal development and seasonal adaptation. In addition to its relevant
antioxidant activity,
melatonin exerts many of its physiological actions by interacting with membrane MT1 and MT2 receptors and intracellular
proteins such as
quinone reductase 2,
calmodulin,
calreticulin and
tubulin. Here we review the current knowledge about the properties and signaling of
melatonin receptors as well as their potential role in health and some diseases.
Melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptors are
G protein coupled receptors which are expressed in various parts of the CNS (suprachiasmatic nuclei, hippocampus, cerebellar cortex, prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens and
retinal horizontal, amacrine and
ganglion cells) and in peripheral organs (blood vessels, mammary gland, gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidney and bladder, ovary, testis, prostate, skin and the immune system).
Melatonin receptors mediate a plethora of intracellular effects depending on the cellular milieu. These effects comprise changes in intracellular
cyclic nucleotides (cAMP, cGMP) and
calcium levels, activation of certain
protein kinase C subtypes, intracellular localization of
steroid hormone receptors and regulation of
G protein signaling
proteins. There are circadian variations in
melatonin receptors and responses. Alterations in
melatonin receptor expression as well as changes in endogenous
melatonin production have been shown in
circadian rhythm sleep disorders, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases,
glaucoma,
depressive disorder, breast and
prostate cancer,
hepatoma and
melanoma. This paper reviews the evidence concerning
melatonin receptors and signal transduction pathways in various organs. It further considers their relevance to circadian physiology and pathogenesis of certain human diseases, with a focus on the brain, the cardiovascular and immune systems, and
cancer.