Page last updated: 2024-10-24

regulation of circadian sleep/wake cycle, REM sleep

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

Any process that modulates the frequency, rate or extent of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. [GOC:jl, PMID:11506998]

The circadian sleep/wake cycle, also known as the sleep-wake cycle, is a naturally occurring 24-hour cycle that regulates the timing of sleep and wakefulness. This cycle is driven by an internal biological clock, known as the circadian pacemaker, which is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus in the brain. The SCN receives light signals from the eyes, which help to synchronize the internal clock with the external environment.

The circadian pacemaker generates rhythmic patterns of neuronal activity that influence various physiological processes, including hormone secretion, body temperature, and alertness. During the day, the SCN promotes wakefulness and alertness by releasing neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and serotonin. At night, the SCN activity decreases, leading to increased melatonin production and the onset of sleep.

REM (rapid eye movement) sleep is one of the stages of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements, increased brain activity, and muscle paralysis. It is typically associated with vivid dreaming. While the exact function of REM sleep is still being studied, research suggests its role in memory consolidation, emotional processing, and brain development.

The regulation of REM sleep within the circadian cycle is a complex process involving various neurotransmitters and brain regions. The neurotransmitter acetylcholine plays a crucial role in initiating and maintaining REM sleep. Other neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine have been linked to the suppression of REM sleep.

The pontine reticular formation in the brainstem is a key region involved in the generation of REM sleep. During REM sleep, neurons in this area become highly active, leading to the characteristic muscle paralysis and rapid eye movements.

Furthermore, the ventrolateral preoptic nucleus (VLPO) in the hypothalamus is known to promote sleep onset, including REM sleep. The VLPO neurons release GABA and galanin, which inhibit the activity of wake-promoting neurons.

The interaction between these brain regions and neurotransmitters leads to a complex interplay of signals that regulate the timing and duration of REM sleep within the circadian cycle. This intricate network ensures that REM sleep occurs primarily during the later stages of the sleep cycle and is appropriately balanced with other sleep stages.'
"

Proteins (1)

ProteinDefinitionTaxonomy
Neuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit beta-2A neuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit beta-2 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:P17787]Homo sapiens (human)

Compounds (57)

CompoundDefinitionClassesRoles
nornicotinenornicotine: agricultural or horticultural insecticide; RN given refers to (+-)-isomer; structure
bupropionbupropion : An aromatic ketone that is propiophenone carrying a tert-butylamino group at position 2 and a chloro substituent at position 3 on the phenyl ring.

Bupropion: A propiophenone-derived antidepressant and antismoking agent that inhibits the uptake of DOPAMINE.
aromatic ketone;
monochlorobenzenes;
secondary amino compound
antidepressant;
environmental contaminant;
xenobiotic
3-(1-methylpyrrolidin-2-yl)pyridine3-(1-methylpyrrolidin-2-yl)pyridine : An N-alkylpyrrolidine that consists of N-methylpyrrolidine bearing a pyridin-3-yl substituent at position 2.N-alkylpyrrolidine;
pyridine alkaloid;
pyrrolidine alkaloid
epibatidinealkaloid
dimethylphenylpiperazinium iodidepiperazines
anabasinepiperidine alkaloid;
pyridine alkaloid
nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist;
plant metabolite;
teratogenic agent
carbamylcholine
granisetronaromatic amide;
indazoles
isofluraneIsoflurane: A stable, non-explosive inhalation anesthetic, relatively free from significant side effects.organofluorine compoundinhalation anaesthetic
mecamylamineMecamylamine: A nicotinic antagonist that is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and crosses the blood-brain barrier. Mecamylamine has been used as a ganglionic blocker in treating hypertension, but, like most ganglionic blockers, is more often used now as a research tool.primary aliphatic amine
n-methylcarbamylcholineN-methylcarbamylcholine: structure given in first source
ondansetronOndansetron: A competitive serotonin type 3 receptor antagonist. It is effective in the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs, including cisplatin, and has reported anxiolytic and neuroleptic properties.carbazoles
tiloronetilorone : A member of the class of fluoren-9-ones that is 9H-fluoren-9-one which is substituted by a 2-(diethylamino)ethoxy group at positions 2 and 7. It is an interferon inducer and a selective alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha7 nAChR) agonist. Its hydrochloride salt is used as an antiviral drug.

Tilorone: An antiviral agent used as its hydrochloride. It is the first recognized synthetic, low-molecular-weight compound that is an orally active interferon inducer, and is also reported to have antineoplastic and anti-inflammatory actions.
aromatic ether;
diether;
fluoren-9-ones;
tertiary amino compound
anti-inflammatory agent;
antineoplastic agent;
antiviral agent;
interferon inducer;
nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist
tetramethylammoniumtetramethylammonium : The simplest quaternary ammonium cation, comprising a central nitrogen linked to four methyl groups.

tetramethylammonium: RN given refers to parent cpd
quaternary ammonium ion
indopanalpha-methyltryptamine : A tryptamine derivative having a methyl substituent at the alpha-position.

indopan: RN given refers to parent cpd without isomeric designation
tryptamines
boldineaporphine alkaloid
cytisinealkaloid;
bridged compound;
lactam;
organic heterotricyclic compound;
secondary amino compound
nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist;
phytotoxin;
plant metabolite
anatabineanatabine: alkaloid found in tobacco; structurebipyridines
dihydro-beta-erythroidinedihydro-beta-erythroidine : An organic heterotetracyclic compound resulting from the partial hydrogenation of the 1,3-diene moiety of beta-erythroidine to give the corresponding 2-ene.

Dihydro-beta-Erythroidine: Dihydro analog of beta-erythroidine, which is isolated from the seeds and other plant parts of Erythrina sp. Leguminosae. It is an alkaloid with curarimimetic properties.
delta-lactone;
organic heterotetracyclic compound;
tertiary amino compound
nicotinic antagonist
polygodialaldehyde
N-methyl-N-(3-pyridylmethyl)aminearalkylamine
nicotine(S)-nicotine : A 3-(1-methylpyrrolidin-2-yl)pyridine in which the chiral centre has S-configuration. The naturally occurring and most active enantiomer of nicotine, isolated from Nicotiana tabacum.3-(1-methylpyrrolidin-2-yl)pyridineanxiolytic drug;
biomarker;
immunomodulator;
mitogen;
neurotoxin;
nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist;
peripheral nervous system drug;
phytogenic insecticide;
plant metabolite;
psychotropic drug;
teratogenic agent;
xenobiotic
lobeline(-)-lobeline : An optically active piperidine alkaloid having a 2-oxo-2-phenylethyl substituent at the 2-position and a 2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl group at the 6-position.aromatic ketone;
piperidine alkaloid;
tertiary amine
nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist
3-methyl-5-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)isoxazole3-methyl-5-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)isoxazole: structure in first source
philanthotoxin 343philanthotoxin 343: structure given in first source (see article's footnote); identical to philanthotoxin 433 except that the number of methylene groups between the respective amine moieties is 3,4,3 instead of 4,3,3N-acyl-amino acid
erysodineerysodine : An erythrina alkaloid with formula C18H21NO3 isolated from several erythrina plant species. It is a competitive antagonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and exhibits antiparasitic and insecticidal activities.

erysodine: structure given in first source
aromatic ether;
diether;
Erythrina alkaloid;
organic heterotetracyclic compound;
phenols
antiparasitic agent;
nicotinic antagonist;
phytogenic insecticide
vareniclinevarenicline : An organic heterotetracyclic compound that acts as a partial agonist for nicotinic cholinergic receptors and is used (in the form of its tartate salt) as an aid to giving up smoking.

Varenicline: A benzazepine derivative that functions as an ALPHA4-BETA2 NICOTINIC RECEPTOR partial agonist. It is used for SMOKING CESSATION.
pozanicline
anatoxin aanatoxin a: found in Anabaena; was indexed to cyanobacterial toxin (MARINE TOXINS) 1978-2006; also see anatoxin-a(s)tropane alkaloid
deformylflustrabrominedeformylflustrabromine: has antineoplastic activity; isolated from Flustra folicea; structure in first sourcetryptamines
tropacocainetropacocaine: RN given refers to (exo)-isomer; structure
tropisetrontropisetron : An indolyl carboxylate ester obtained by formal condensation of the carboxy group of indole-3-carboxylic acid with the hydroxy group of tropine.

Tropisetron: An indole derivative and 5-HT3 RECEPTOR antagonist that is used for the prevention of nausea and vomiting.
indolyl carboxylic acid
lobeline
epibatidine
anatoxin aanatoxin I: found mainly in ANABAENA; was indexed to cyanobacterial toxin (MARINE TOXINS). isolated from many salt-tolerant freshwater cyanobacteria
abt 594
5-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-9-azabicyclo[4.2.1]non-4-eneazepine
trans-metanicotinemetanicotine: RN given refers to parent cpd with unspecified isomeric designation
a 85380A 85380: structure given in first source; A-85380 is the S-enantiomer; A-159470 is the R-enantiomer
ar-r 17779AR-R 17779: structure in first source
3-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)anabaseine3-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)anabaseine: an alpha7nAChR nicotinic receptor agonistdimethoxybenzene
mg 624triethyl-(beta-4-stilbenoxyethyl)ammonium: inhibits alpha7 nicotinic receptors; structure in first source
5-ia-85380aromatic ether
a 84543
azd 0328spiro(1-azabicyclo(2.2.2)octane-3,2'(3H)-furo(2,3-b)pyridine): AZD-0328 is the (2'R)-isomer and D-tartrate salt; an alpha7 neuronal nicotinic receptor agonist; structure in first source
radafaxineradafaxine: a bupropion metabolite; radafaxine is a (+)-isomer of hydroxybupropion
isproniclineispronicline: a neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulator; has antidepressant, neuroprotective, and cognitive effects; structure in first source
4-n-butyl-1-(4-(2-methylphenyl)-4-oxo-1-butyl)-piperidine hydrogen chloride
desnitroimidaclopriddesnitroimidacloprid: a nicotinic receptor agonist; structure in first source
dianiclinedianicline: an alpha4beta2 nicotinic receptor agonist; may be useful as an aid in quitting smoking; structure in first source
n-methylepibatidineN-methylepibatidine: structure in first source
sazetidine-asazetidine-A: a ligand that desensitizes alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors without activating them; structure in first source
ns 92833-(3-(pyridine-3-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)benzonitrile: an alpha4beta2 nAChR agonist
a-582941A-582941: nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha7 nAChR) agonist
n,n-diallyl-5-methoxytryptamineN,N-diallyl-5-methoxytryptamine: structure in first sourcetryptamines
imidacloprid(E)-imidacloprid : The E-isomer of imidacloprid.imidacloprid;
imidazolidines;
monochloropyridine
environmental contaminant;
genotoxin;
neonicotinoid insectide;
nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist;
xenobiotic
3-(4-hydroxy-2-methoxybenzylidene)anabaseine