Melatonin Specific Neutra™ Antibody Products

Melatonin is a hormone that is mainly synthesized and secreted by the pineal gland, which is in the brain. The structure of melatonin consists of a tryptamine molecule with an indole ring, and it is chemically known as N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine. It is essential for controlling the body's circadian rhythm, or biological clock, which governs sleep-wake cycles. In addition to regulating sleep, melatonin also has antioxidant qualities and has been linked to the immune system, cardiovascular system, and reproductive system.

Synthesis of Melatonin

Melatonin synthesis is rhythmically active in the pineal gland. Besides, melatonin can also be synthesized in other tissues and organs, including the retina, bone marrow, gut, and skin. When stimulated by pathogens or abiotic damage, melatonin can also be produced on demand by macrophages, lymphocytes, and microglia. Melatonin excretion in the urine is also an important indicator of its bioavailability. It is worth noting that melatonin may be discovered in human saliva at concentrations ten times lower than in plasma, indicating the possibility of developing non-invasive and sensitive technologies for detecting indoleamine in various bodily fluids.

Roles of Melatonin in Immune Response

Melatonin possesses immunomodulatory properties, influencing various aspects of immune function such as cytokine production, immune cell activity, and inflammation regulation. Melatonin has been shown to enhance the activity of certain immune cells like T lymphocytes and natural killer cells, while also reducing excessive inflammation. Also, under inflammatory conditions, nightly melatonin suppression promotes inflammation by allowing leukocyte rolling and adhesion, as well as vascular permeability. Additionally, melatonin helps maintain immune system balance, which contributes to overall immune health and response to pathogens.

Fig.1 The immunomodulatory response of melatonin in various immune cells.¹

Diseases of Melatonin

Melatonin has been identified as a significant biomarker for a wide range of disorders. Melatonin dysfunction can cause insomnia, sleep phase syndrome, and jet lag. Additionally, melatonin lack has been implicated in mood disorders including seasonal affective disorder and depression. A variety of neurological illnesses, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, have shown alterations in melatonin levels. Moreover, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers, especially breast cancer, are linked to aberrant melatonin levels.

Fig.2 The regulation of Aβ and tau in Alzheimer's disease, which is attenuated by melatonin.²

Antibodies Targeting Melatonin

Anti-melatonin antibodies with high specificity and affinity have been successfully constructed over the years for a variety of research purposes. A study shows monoclonal antibodies targeting melatonin can help analyze the relationships between the antigenicity and molecular structure of melatonin. Immunoassays using anti-melatonin antibodies have been considered the best alternative for accurate melatonin measurement. Thus, these antibodies can be used to study the localization, metabolism, and function of melatonin in various tissues and organs. For example, researchers have used anti-melatonin antibodies to investigate melatonin production and signaling in the pineal gland, retina, and skin. Additionally, anti-melatonin antibodies have been utilized in diagnostic assays for melatonin detection in bodily fluids. Anti-melatonin antibodies continue to be explored for their potential use in treating sleep disorders, mood disorders, and neurological diseases.

Creative Biolabs offers high-specificity anti-melatonin antibody products to accelerate your research progress.

REFERENCES

1. Gurunathan, Sangiliyandi, Min-Hee Kang, and Jin-Hoi Kim. "Role and therapeutic potential of melatonin in the central nervous system and cancers." Cancers 12.6 (2020): 1567. Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.
2. Chen, Dongmei, Tao Zhang, and Tae Ho Lee. "Cellular mechanisms of melatonin: insight from neurodegenerative diseases." Biomolecules 10.8 (2020): 1158. Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.