Download Spanish scientists discover a new function of the dopamine in the

Published in the June issue of the PLoS Biology
Spanish scientists discover a new function of the
dopamine in the pineal gland, involved in sleep
regulation
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According to this research, dopamine acts with norepinephrine to
regulate melatonin
This research opens new perspectives in the design of future treatments
to regulate sleep disorders, which may cause alterations in the body
mass index and behavioural disorders, among others
Over 40% of the world’s population are affected by sleep disorders,
according to data from the World Health Organisation
Madrid, 19 June 2012. A group of researchers from the Centro de Investigación Biomédica
en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), a centre for biomedical network
research on neurodegenerative diseases dependant on the Spanish Ministry of Economy and
Competitiveness through the Carlos III Health Institute, and from the Faculty of Biology of the
University of Barcelona, have discovered a new function of the dopamine in the pineal gland,
involved in sleep regulation. The results of this research are published in the latest issue of
the journal PLoS Biology.
The so-called “circadian rhythm” consists in a series of biological processes that enable the
brain activity to adapt to the time of the day (light and dark cycles). One of the central players
in this adaptation is the pineal gland, whose function is, among others, the synthesis of
melatonin, which is produced and released at night and which acts in different parts of the
body regulating the metabolic activity.
Norepinephrine is a hormone involved in regulating melatonin synthesis and release in the
pineal gland. The functions of norepinephrine are carried out via the binding to its receptors in
the membrane of cells. It was long believed that these norepinephirne receptors acted
individually. In this study researchers have discovered that norepinephirne receptors do not
act independently, but forming heteromers with other proteins, with dopamine receptors.
When dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter, interacts with its receptors, it inhibits
the effects of norepinephrine and decreases melatonin production and release. These
dopamine receptors only appear in the pineal gland at the end of the dark period. Therefore,
the formation of these heteromers is an effective mechanism to stop melatonin production
when the day begins.
The discovery of this new function of the dopamine will be extremely useful when designing
new treatments to help mitigate circadian rhythm disturbances such as those related to jet
lag, those found among people who work at night-time and in cases of sleep disorders in
general which, according to the World Health Organisation affect 40% of the world’s
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population and one third of the adult population in Spain. Circadian rhythm disturbances also
produce alterations in the body mass index above the recommended levels among 50% of
the European population, according to the Health at a Glance Europe 2010 report by the
European Commission and the OECD, and behavioural disorders that affect 1 in 4 people at
least once in their lifetime (Bulletin of the World Health Organization 78 (4): 413–26. 2000), in
which melatonin levels are related.
This project has been carried out by the Molecular Neurobiology Research Team of the
University of Barcelona where lecturers Dr. Peter Mc Cormick, Dr. Enric Canela, Dr. Antoni
Cortés, Dr. Josefa Mallol, Dr. Vicent Casadó and Dr. Carme Lluís work. Dr. David Moreno
and doctoral students Sergio González and Estefanía Moreno have also taken part in it.
About CIBERNED
The Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED)
is one of reference centres in Spain for biomedical research on neurodegenerative diseases (END),
such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s diseases and other ataxias and neuromuscular
diseases. It was created in 2006 and its main objective is to promote basic biomedical, clinical and
epidemiological research, as well as to ensure that the research carried out in laboratories can be put
into practice and reach the patient (translational research).
Legally it is organised as a public consortium where various institutions representing the Spanish
General State Administration, the Spanish Autonomous Communities and other non-institutional
organisations take part. It gathers a total of 58 Spanish research groups that share a common goal:
the fight against neurodegeneration.
The funds managed by CIBERNED come mainly from the Spanish Government, namely from the
Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, which are channelled through the Carlos III Health Institute.
However, CIBERNED can raise financial support from other foundations or research funds. In addition
to basic and clinical research, CIBERNED aims to promote high-quality scientific dissemination and
involve civil society in reducing the negative impact of neurodegeneration.
About the University of Barcelona
The University of Barcelona is a leading research university in Spain, as evidenced by the main
international classifications, such as the Academic Ranking of World Universities (commonly known as
the Shanghai ranking) and the World University Ranking, published by the Times Higher Education
and QS Quacquarelli Symonds, or the Ibero-American Ranking SIR 2010 for scientific production.
Since January 2010, the University of Barcelona is a member of the prestigious League of European
Research Universities (LERU), a network of leading research-intensive universities in Europe that was
founded in 2002 and that advocates high-quality teaching in higher education within an environment of
internationally competitive research. The UB is the only Spanish university invited to take part in this
renowned association.
For further information:
Duomo Comunicación
Press Office of CIBERNED
Borja Gómez
[email protected]
Myriam Rámila
[email protected]
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Telephone: +34 91 311 92 89 / 91 311 92 90
University of Barcelona
Press Office
Rosa Martínez
[email protected]
Telephone: +34 934 035 544
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