Adrenergic Agonists Activate Transcriptional Activity in Immortalized Neuronal Cells From the Mouse Suprachiasmatic Nucleus

The suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus (SCN) houses the central circadian oscillator of mammals. The main neurotransmitters produced in the SCN are gamma-amino-butyric acid, arginine-vasopressin (AVP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), pituitary-derived adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP), prokineticin 2, neuromedin S, and gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP). Apart from these, catecholamines and their receptors were detected in the SCN as well. In this study, we confirmed the presence of beta-adrenergic receptors in SCN and a mouse SCN-derived immortalized cell line by immunohistochemical, immuno-cytochemical, and pharmacological techniques. We then characterized the effects of beta-adrenergic agonists and antagonists on cAMP-regulated element (CRE) signaling. Moreover, we investigated the interaction of beta-adrenergic signaling with substances influencing parallel signaling pathways. Our findings have potential implications on the role of stress (elevated adrenaline) on the biological clock and may explain some of the side effects of beta-blockers applied as anti-hypertensive drugs.