title: Depression of mGluR-mediated IPSCs by 5-HT in dopamine neurons of the rat substantia nigra pars compacta.
abstract: Dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta receive a prominent serotonin (5-HT) projection from the dorsal raphe nucleus and important functional interactions between the serotonergic and the dopaminergic system have been postulated. In the present report we examined the role of 5-HT in the modulation of the metabotropic glutamate receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic current (mGluR-IPSC) in midbrain dopamine neurons, and we found a reversible depression of this synaptic response at concentrations of 5-HT ranging from 100 nm to 30 microm (EC50 1.06 microm). This resulted in a shift towards excitation of the overall dopamine neuron response to glutamatergic synaptic input. This effect was not because of a direct modulation of the Ca2+-sensitive K+ conductances underlying the mGluR-IPSC, but was associated with a decrease in the intracellular calcium signal triggered by mGluR stimulation. Similar results were obtained with alpha-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-methoxytryptamine, but not with 5-carboxamidotryptamine or 1-(3-chlorophenyl) piperazine. No significant depression of the mGluR-IPSC by 5-HT was observed in the presence of the 5-HT2 antagonist cinanserin or the 5-HT4 receptor antagonist RS 23597-190, whereas the 5-HT2C antagonist RS 102221 was ineffective. Our results demonstrate a powerful inhibition of the mGluR-IPSC by 5-HT in midbrain dopamine neurons, most probably through stimulation of 5-HT2A and 5-HT4 receptors.
authors.affiliation: Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Experimental Neurology, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paolucci
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Berretta
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tozzi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bernardi
authors.forename: N B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Mercuri
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001030:Apamin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000187:drug effects; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D014633:Valine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D001030:Apamin; D012701:Serotonin; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; C056639:2-amino-5-phosphopentanoic acid; D014633:Valine; D002118:Calcium; C010117:3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol; D004298:Dopamine