ABSTRACT
The mammalian pineal gland contains several neurotransmitters and orchestrates the functions of a cascading group of receptors for amino acids, biogenic amines, and peptides. In summary, the pineal gland synthesizes melatonin and melatonin refines the events in life. The said refinements are brought forth by melatonin and its receptors and by melatonin modulating the functions invested in other structures and organs. The actions of neurotransmitters are mediated mostly through their interactions with receptors located either at presynaptic sites or at postsynaptic loci. The progress in molecular analysis of gene encoding neuroreceptors and ion channels have revealed that the G-coupled receptors are characterized by the presence of seven membrane-spanning domains. The chapter discusses GABAA, GABAB, and GABAC receptors. In an effort to study the nature of glutamate receptors in the brain, a number of glutamic acid and aspartic acid analogues have been synthesized and studied.
