A rhythmic change of vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT) 2 expression in the rat pineal gland

The pineal gland secretes melatonin under circadian control via nocturnal noradrenergic stimulation, and expresses vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT) 1, VGLUT2 and a VGLUT1 splice variant (VGLUT1v). Although we previously reported that VGLUT2 mRNA level of rat pineal gland at postnatal day 21 is higher in the nighttime than in daytime, questions remained as to the time of postnatal onset of this phenomenon and a 24-h change in the mRNA or protein level at postnatal days. The day–night difference in VGLUT2 mRNA level was evident 14 days after birth. In the adult, VGLUT2 mRNA and protein levels increased in the dark phase, with the protein level showing a 6-h delay. The nocturnal elevation in VGLUT2 mRNA level diminished under the constant light condition but persisted under the constant dark condition. The present data suggest that VGLUT2 in the rat pineal gland is involved in some nocturnal glutamatergic function.

► VGLUT2 mRNA expression shows the diurnal change in the rat pineal gland. ► Rhythmic expression in VGLUT2 mRNA persists after constant darkness entrainment. ► Pineal VGLUT2 protein level peaks at the end of dark phase. ► A diurnal pattern of VGLUT2 mRNA expression becomes evident by postnatal day 14.