Modulation of Pineal Melatonin Synthesis by Glutamate Involves Paracrine Interactions between Pinealocytes and Astrocytes through NF-B Activation
Figure 9
Diagram illustrating the putative paracrine interaction between pinealocytes and astrocytes in the modulation of pineal melatonin synthesis by glutamate. Glutamate (Glu) induces intracellular Ca2+ increase in astrocytes with the subsequent activation of NFκB and release of a soluble factor, possibly TNF-α. This factor alone or in association with Glu promotes melatonin synthesis reduction in pinealocytes.
