Evidence for the presence of novel β-melatonin receptors along with classical α-melatonin receptors in the fish Rasbora daniconius (Ham.)

Abstract

The effects of melatonin (MT) were examined on the isolated scale melanophores from dorso-lateral (D-L) and band regions of a tropical fish Rasbora daniconius. Our study primarily aimed for further depiction of the signaling receptors involved in MT mediated pigment translocations in the fish. Melanophore Size Index (MSI) was employed as a recording parameter for the responses of melanophores to MT and various antagonists. MT has induced aggregation as well as dispersion in D-L region and aggregation in band region melanophores during summer season. During winter, MT-induced responses were only of aggregatory type in D-L region, while in the band region there was an increase in the sensitivity. The responses of the melanophores to MT were reversible. The aggregation of innervated melanophores induced by MT on the D-L and band regions was partially mediated through the neurotransmitters released under the influence of MT and partially by the specific MT receptors. Luzindole and K185 have completely blocked the aggregatory responses of D-L and band region melanophores. Aggregatory receptors may be of the conventional α-MT type. Dispersion of D-L and band region melanophores induced by MT in the presence of various antagonists and on denervated band region could be the result of activation of β-MT receptors of dispersive nature. Presence of α and β MT receptors is thus indicated in this fish melanophores.

• Denervation
• fish melanophores
• Melatonin receptors
• seasonal variation

Acknowledgements

A special thanks goes to KVA-Stockholm for providing the grants to M. Mubashshir that helped us in an easy access to the online journals and consequently coming up with this draft. Also we are thankful to Dr. H.N. Skold for all sorts of help. Following companies are greatly acknowledged for generously providing the gifts of drugs: Aristo Pharma Pvt Ltd, Mumbai, India; Hindustan Ciba-Geigy Ltd, Mumbai, India and Ciba-Geigy, Basel, Switzerland.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.