Norepinephrine activates store-operated Ca2+ entry coupled to large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels in rat pinealocytes

Norepinephrine (NE) is one of the major neurotransmitters that determine melatonin production in the pineal gland. Although a substantial amount of Ca2+ influx is triggered by NE, the Ca2+ entry pathway and its physiological relevance have not been elucidated adequately. Herein we report that the Ca2+ influx triggered by NE significantly regulates the protein level of serotonin N-acetyltransferase, or arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT), a critical enzyme in melatonin production, and is responsible for maintaining the Ca2+ response after repetitive stimulation. Ca2+ entry evoked by NE was dependent on PLC activation. NE evoked a substantial amount of Ca2+ entry even after cells were treated with 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG), an analog of diacylglycerol. To the contrary, further OAG treatment after cells had been exposed to OAG did not evoke additional Ca2+ entry. Moreover, NE failed to induce further Ca2+ entry after the development of Ca2+ entry induced by thapsigargin (Tg), suggesting that...