In:
Journal of Experimental Biology, The Company of Biologists, ( 2015-01-01)
Abstract:
Encephalopsin (OPN3) belongs to the light sensitive transmembrane receptor family mainly expressed in the brain and retina. It is believed that light affects mammalian circadian rhythmicity only through the retinohypothalamic tract, which transmits light information to the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the hypothalamus, although it has been shown that light penetrates the skull. Here we present the effect of transcranial light treatment on OPN3 expression and monoamine concentrations in mouse brain. Mice were randomly assigned to control group, morning-light group and evening-light group, and animals were illuminated transcranially five times a week eight minutes per mouse for four weeks. The concentrations of OPN3 and monoamines were analysed using Western blotting and HPLC, respectively. We report that transcranial light treatment affects OPN3 expression in different brain areas and plasma/adrenal gland monoamine concentrations. In addition, when light was administered at a different time of the day, the response varied in different tissues. These results provide new information on the effects of light on transmitters mediating mammalian rhythmicity.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1477-9145
,
0022-0949
Language:
English
Publisher:
The Company of Biologists
Publication Date:
2015
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1482461-9
SSG:
12
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