title: 5-HT(3) receptor function and potentiation by alcohols in frontal cortex neurons from transgenic mice overexpressing the receptor.
abstract: The function of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)(3) receptors was examined by whole-cell patch-clamp recording in dissociated frontal cortex neurons from 5-HT(3) receptor overexpressing transgenic, and wild-type mice. The effect of acute exposure to alcohols on the 5-HT(3) receptor-mediated ion current was also investigated. The 5-HT(3) receptors expressed on frontal cortex neurons in transgenic mice were activated by 5-HT and a selective 5-HT(3) receptor agonist, 2-methyl-5-HT. This current was blocked by zacopride, a specific 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist. Dissociated frontal cortex neurons from wild-type mice exhibited little or no 5-HT(3) receptor-mediated current. Ethanol (EtOH) and trichloroethanol (TCEt) potentiated the function of 5-HT(3) receptors overexpressed in transgenic mice. This is the first evidence that 5-HT(3) receptors exhibit sensitivity to alcohols when expressed by a central neuron.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 702 Light Hall, Nashville, TN 37232-0615, USA.
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Allan
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Lovinger
mesh_terms: D000438:Alcohols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics*; D044406:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3
chemical_list: D000438:Alcohols; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D044406:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3