Expt. B; Daily Rhythm in Expression of >600 Genes in the Rodent Pineal Gland: Dominant Role of Adrenergic/cAMP Signaling

Biological processes are optimized by circadian and circannual biological timing systems. In vertebrates, the pineal gland plays an essential role in these systems by converting time into a hormonal signal, melatonin; in all vertebrates, circulating melatonin is elevated at night, independent of lifestyle.

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Bailey MJ, Coon SL, Carter DA, Humphries A, Kim JS, Shi Q, Gaildrat P, Morin F, Ganguly S, Hogenesch JB, Weller JL, Rath MF, Møller M, Baler R, Sugden D, Rangel ZG, Munson PJ, Klein DC