Skip to main content

Melatonin Receptor Signaling

Meaning

Melatonin Receptor Signaling describes the entire cascade of cellular events initiated when the hormone melatonin binds to its specific receptors, primarily the MT1 and MT2 receptors, located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and other peripheral tissues. This signaling is the fundamental process by which melatonin communicates darkness and regulates the timing of the circadian rhythm. Effective signaling is crucial for sleep initiation, antioxidant defense, and the synchronization of various metabolic functions. It is the body’s key darkness signal.