5-HT Receptors

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) is a monoamine neurotransmitter synthesized from L-tryptophan in serotonergic neurons and enterochromaffin cells of the gastrointestinal tract. 5-HT acts at serotonin receptors, which have been classified into seven groups (5-HT1-7) based on their pharmacological profiles, cDNA-deduced primary sequences and signal transduction mechanisms.

Except for the 5-HT3 receptor, which is a ligand-gated ion channel, 5-HT receptors belong to the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily. The 5-HT1, 5-HT2, 5-HT3 and 5-ht5 receptor groups have been further subdivided. In the CNS, serotonin has an important role in the regulation of mood, emesis, sexuality, sleep and appetite. Abnormalities in serotonergic function have been implicated in many disease states such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and migraine.

Receptor Data

Receptor SubtypeTransduction MechanismLocalizationFunctionSpecific AgonistsSpecific Antagonists
5-HT1A↓AC (Gi/o)Limbic system (hippocampus, lateral septum, cortical areas), mesencephalic raphe nucleiHyperpolarization, modulation of neurotransmitter release, anxiolysis, hypothermia, hyperphagiaXaliprofen (2491)
S 14506 (1771)
Ipsapirone (1869)
BP 554 (0556)
Tandospirone (2854)*
MM 77 (0933)
NAN-190 (0553)
Spiroxatrine (0631)
(S)-WAY 100135 (1253)
5-HT1B↓AC (Gi/o)Basal ganglia, striatum, amygdala, trigeminal ganglion, vascular smooth muscleAutoreceptor, locomotion, hypophagia, hypothermia, modulation of neurotransmitter release, vasoconstrictionCGS 12066B (0638)
CP 93129 (1032)
CP 94253 (1317)
5-Nonyloxytryptamine (0901)
GR 55562 (1054)
Isamoltane (0992)
SB 224289 (1221)
NAS-181 (1413)
5-HT1D↓AC (Gi/o)Basal ganglia, hippocampus, cortex, spinal cord, vascular smooth muscleAutoreceptor, modulation of neurotransmitter releaseL-694,247 (0781)
GR 46611 (0864)
PNU 109291 (2556)
PNU 142633 (1985)
BRL 15572 (1207)
Cyanopindolol (0993)
LY 310762 (3078)
5-ht1E↓AC (Gi/o)Cortex, caudate putamen, claustrum, hippocampus, amygdalaUnknownBRL 54443 (1129)-
5-HT1F↓AC (Gi/o)Hippocampus, cortex, dorsal raphe nucleus, uterusSpeculative role in visual and cognitive functionBRL 5443 (1129)
LY 344864 (2451)
LY 334370 (3079)
-
5-HT2A↑ PLCForebrain, caudate nucleus, nucleus accumbens, hippocampus, olfactory tubercle, vascular smooth muscle, blood plateletsNeuronal depolarization, head twitch, hyperthermia, modulation of neurotransmitter release smooth muscle contraction, platelet activationTBC-2 (2592)R- 96544 (1742)
Spiperone (0995)
MDL 11,939 (0870)
4F 4PP (0523)
Risperidone (2865)
5-HT2B↑ PLCBrain, stomach fundus (rat), gut, heart, kidney, lungContraction of the stomach fundus, anxietyBW 723C86 (1059)SB 204741 (1372)
LY 272015 (3077)
5-HT2C↑ PLCChoroid plexus, cortex, limbic system, basal gangliaHypolocomotion, hypophagia, penile erection, hyperthermia, anxiety, ↓ noradrenalin and dopamine releaseMK 212 (0941)
Ro 60-0175 (1854)
WAY 161503 (1801)
CP 809101 (3041)
1-Methylpsilocin (3017)
N-Desmethylclozapine (1007)
RS 102221 (1050)
SB 242084 (2901)
5-HT3Ion channel
(Na+, K+, Ca2+)
Dorsal vagal complex, hippocampus, amygdala, caudate, cerebral cortex, heart, intestinesAnxiety, cognition, pain , reward/withdrawal, vomiting reflex, vasodilation, intestinal tone and secretionSR 57227 (1205)
Quipazine (0629)
1-phenylbiguanide (0969)
m-chlorophenylbiguanide (0440)
MDL 72222 (0640)
Tropisetron (2459)
Y-25130 (0380)
Ondansetron (2891) Granisetron (2903)
5-HT4↑ AC (Gs)Cerebral cortex, limbic areas, hippocampus, colliculus, intestinesLearning and memory, visual perception, anxiety, motor coordination, arousal, smooth muscle relaxation, modulation of neurotransmitter releaseCisapride (1695)
RS 67333 (0989)*
RS 67506 (0990)*
CJ 033466 (3089)*
GR 113808 (1322)
GR 125487 (1658)
RS 39604 (0991)
RS 23597-190 (0728)
5-ht5A↓ AC (Gi/o)Amygdala, hippocampus, caudate nucleus, cerebellum, hypothalamus, thalamus, substantia nigra, spinal cordModulation of exploratory behavior and locomotion-SB 699551 (3188)
5-HT6↑ AC (Gs)Striatum, olfactory tubercles, nucleus accumbens, hippocampus, stomach, adrenal glandsMemory and learning, modulation of neurotransmitter release5-Methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (0558)
EMD 386088 (2382)
SB 258585 (1961)
Ro 47-1816/001 (2911)
SB 399885 (3189)
NPS ALX Compound 4a (3285)
5-HT7↑ AC (Gs)Thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus, cerebral cortex, amygdala, GI and vascular smooth muscle, heartCircadian rhythms, smooth muscle relaxation, nociception, hypotension, modulation of REM sleep, learning and memory, LH releaseAS 19 (1968)
LP 44 (2534)
LP 12 (2925)
Pimozide (0937)
SB 269970 (1612)
SB 259719 (2726)

* partial agonist

References

Hoyer et al (1994) VII. International union of pharmacology classification of receptors for 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin). Pharmacol. Rev. 46 157. Barnes and Sharp (1999) A review of central 5-HT receptors and their function. Neuropharmacol. 38 1083. Pauwels (2003) 5-HT receptors and their ligands. Tocris Reviews No. 25.