2024/08/01 by Monica Langiu, Faramarz Dehghani, Urszula Hohmann +4 · 1 voice
Neuroscience · Psychology · #Circadian rhythm and melatonin #Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior #Stress Responses and Cortisol
paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/jpi.12999
openalex publication_date 2024/08/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/27
The suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus (SCN) houses the central circadian oscillator of mammals. The main neurotransmitters produced in the SCN are γ-amino-butyric acid, arginine-vasopressin (AVP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), pituitary-derived adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP), prokineticin 2, neuromedin S, and gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP). Apart from these, catecholamines and their receptors were detected in the SCN as well. In this study, we confirmed the presence of β-adrenergic receptors in SCN and a mouse SCN-derived immortalized cell line by immunohistochemical, immuno-cytochemical, and pharmacological techniques. We then characterized the effects of β-adrenergic agonists and antagonists on cAMP-regulated element (CRE) signaling. Moreover, we investigated the interaction of β-adrenergic signaling with substances influencing parallel signaling pathways. Our findings have potential implications on the role of stress (elevated adrenaline) on the biological clock and may explain some of the side effects of β-blockers applied as anti-hypertensive drugs.