The time enzyme in melatonin biosynthesis in fish: Day/night expressions of three aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase genes in three-spined stickleback

In vertebrates, aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT; EC 2.3.1.87) is a time-keeping enzyme in melatonin (Mel) biosynthesis. Uniquely in fish, there are several AANAT isozymes belonging to two AANAT subfamilies, AANAT1 and AANAT2, which are encoded by distinct genes. The different substrate preferences, kinetics and spatial expression patterns of isozymes indicate that they may have different functions. In the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), there are three genes encoding three AANAT isozymes. In this study, for the first time, the levels of aanat1a, aanat1b and aanat2 mRNAs are measured by absolute RT-qPCR in the brain, eye, skin, stomach, gut, heart and kidney collected at noon and midnight. Melatonin levels are analysed by HPLC with fluorescence detection in homogenates of the brain, eye, skin and kidney. The levels of aanats mRNAs differ significantly within and among organs. In the brain, eye, stomach and gut, there are day/night variations in aanats mRNAs levels. The highest levels of aanat1a and aanat1b mRNAs are in the eye. The extremely high expressions of these genes which are reflected in the highest Mel concentrations at this site at noon and midnight strongly suggest that the eye is an important source of the hormone in the three-spined sticklebacks. A very low level of aanat2 mRNA in all organs may suggest that AANAT1a and/or AANAT1b are principal isozymes in the three-spine sticklebacks. A presence of the isozymes of defined substrate preferences provides opportunity for control of acetylation of amines by modulation of individual aanat expression and permits the fine-tuning of indolethylamines and phenylethylamines metabolism to meet the particular needs of a given organ.