Vincent M. Cassone

TL;DR: Comparisons of circadian clocks in unicellular and multicellular organisms using molecular genetics and genomics have provided new insights into the mechanisms and complexity of clock systems.

TL;DR: The variety of mechanisms that have evolved among vertebrates to achieve the same goal-a rhythm in melatonin-underlines the important role melatonin plays as the hormonal signal of environmental lighting in vertebrates.

TL;DR: Research indicates that the circadian rhythms of many species of reptiles, birds and mammals, including humans, are synchronized by the administration of exogenous melatonin, and points to the possibility that melatonin or melatonin analogues may be therapeutically useful for the control of circadian clock dysfunctions such as jet lag, shift-work syndrome and sleep disorders.

TL;DR: Two receptors (CKA and CKB) of the G protein-coupled melatonin receptor family were cloned from chick brain and defined a new receptor subtype, the Mel1c melatonin receptors, which is distinct from theMel1a and Mel1b melatoninceptor subtypes.

TL;DR: A neuroendocrine loop is proposed in which the SCN inhibits pineal and ocular oscillators during the course of subjective day via a multisynaptic neuronal pathway which includes the superior cervical ganglia (SCG).