Figure 7. Metabolic consequences of α_1B-D₄ and β₁-D₄ receptor heteromers activation.

5-HT synthesis (A, C, J, L) and release (B, D, K, M) and melatonin synthesis (E, G, N, P) and release (F, H, O, Q) were measured as described in Materials and Methods in pineal gland extracted at 20:00 h (A to H) or at 9:00 h (J to Q). Pineal glands were not treated (basal) or treated with 500 nM RO 10-5824 (RO), 500 nM phenylephrine (Phe), 500 nM isoproterenol (Iso), 1 µM L-745,870 (L-745), 1 µM REC 15/2615 (REC), or 1 µM CGP 20712 (CGP), alone or in combination. Three experiments were quantified and values represent the mean ± S.E.M. of the fold increase with respect to basal levels found in untreated pineal glands. Significant differences were calculated by a one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc Bonferroni's tests (*p<0.01 as compared to the basal level; ^# p<0.005 as compared to the sample treated with isoproterenol or with phenylephrine). In (I and R) the overall results are presented as a scheme.