New players in the 5-HT receptor field: genes and knockouts.
In recent years, cloning has revealed the existence of no less than 14 mammalian 5-HT receptors, as well as evidence that isoforms of the 5-HT4 and 5-HT7 receptors are generated by alternative splicing. In addition, molecular biology techniques have provided new tools with which to study the function of 5-HT receptors. For example, new technologies are emerging that will allow the generation of either inducible or tissue-specific knockouts (or both). In this review José Lucas and René Hen focus on the characteristics of the most recently cloned receptors and the contribution of molecular biology to the understanding of 5-HT receptor function.
Lucas
J J
JJ
Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Hen
R
R
D000818:Animals; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*
D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins