Pinealocyte
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Pinealocytes are the main cells of the pineal gland. They produce and secrete melatonin. Pinealocytes have an organelle called the synaptic ribbon; this is considered to be a specific marker for pinealocytes. Some of the enzymes of the pinealocytes include 5-HT N-acetyl transferase and 5-hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase which are used to convert serotonin to melatonin.
Pinealocytes secrete their melatonin into capillaries via long cytoplasmic processes that resemble the axons of neurons. They also have shorter cytoplasmic processes that connect to adjacent pinealocytes via desmosomes and gap junctions.
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Hypothalamus/Pituitary gland - Pineal gland - Islets of pancreas
Hypothalamic-pituitary axes: Adrenal axis (Adrenal gland) - Thyroid axis (Thyroid gland, Parathyroid gland) - Gonadal axis (Testes, Ovaries, Corpus luteum)
