Abstract
Melatonin receptors located in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) have been cloned in mammals hypothalamus. We previously reported a SCN melatonin receptor photic regulation in the rat. The present study's aim was to investigate whether a photic regulation of both melatonin receptor density and mRNA expression takes place in the SCN of a highly photoperiodic species, the Siberian hamster. To achieve this goal, we first set up an in situ hybridization protocol without RNase treatment to allow a highly sensitive and reproducible quantitative analysis of melatonin receptor mRNA expression. Results showed that a 1 h light pulse delivered during night-time did not affect SCN melatonin binding capacities while it induced a strong increase of the melatonin receptor mRNA expression in the SCN of pinealectomized animals.
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