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Expression and putative functions of melatonin receptors in malignant cells and tissues

Expression und mögliche Funktionen von Melatonin-Rezeptoren in humanen Karzinomzellen und im Krebsgewebe

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Summary

Melatonin, the popular hormone of the darkness, is primarily synthesized in the pineal gland, and acts classically through the G-protein coupled plasma membrane melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2, respectively. Although some of the receptor mediated functions of melatonin, especially those on the (central) circadian system, have been more or less clarified, the functional meaning of MT-receptors in various peripheral organs are still not sufficiently investigated yet. There is, however, accumulating evidence for oncostatic effects of melatonin with both, antioxidative and MT-receptor mediated mechanisms possibly playing a role. This review briefly summarizes the physiology of melatonin and MT-receptors, and discusses the expression and function of MT-receptors in human cancer cells and tissues.

Zusammenfassung

Melatonin, das populäre Hormon der Dunkelheit, wird primär in der Zirbeldrüse gebildet und wirkt klassischerweise über die G-Protein gekoppelten Melatonin-Rezeptoren MT1 and MT2. Obwohl gewisse Rezeptor-vermittelte Funktionen des Melatonins, insbesondere auf das (zentrale) circadiane System, mehr oder minder aufgeklärt wurden, ist die funktionelle Bedeutung der MT-Rezeptoren in verschiedenen peripheren Organen noch unzureichend untersucht. In letzter Zeit mehren sich die Hinweise, dass Melatonin onkostatische Wirkungen aufweist, wobei sowohl antioxidative als auch Rezeptor- induzierte Mechanismen beteiligt zu sein scheinen. Diese Übersichtsarbeit fasst in komprimierter Form die Physiologie des Melatonins und der Melatonin-Rezeptoren zusammen und gibt einen Überblick über die Expression und mögliche Funktionen von Melatonin-Rezeptoren in humanen Karzinomzellen und im Krebsgewebe.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Prof. Theresia Thalhammer for the wonderful and fruitful cooperation during the last 15 years, which resulted in 19 Medline-papers, 1 book chapter and many comfortable discussions and moments.

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  1. Institute of Environmental Health, Centre for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria

    Cem Ekmekcioglu

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Ekmekcioglu, C. Expression and putative functions of melatonin receptors in malignant cells and tissues. Wien Med Wochenschr 164, 472–478 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-014-0289-6

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