title: Serotonin 5-HT1A receptors regulate NMDA receptor channels through a microtubule-dependent mechanism.
abstract: The serotonin system and NMDA receptors (NMDARs) in prefrontal cortex (PFC) are both critically involved in the regulation of cognition and emotion under normal and pathological conditions; however, the interactions between them are essentially unknown. Here we show that serotonin, by activating 5-HT(1A) receptors, inhibited NMDA receptor-mediated ionic and synaptic currents in PFC pyramidal neurons, and the NR2B subunit-containing NMDA receptor is the primary target of 5-HT(1A) receptors. This effect of 5-HT(1A) receptors was blocked by agents that interfere with microtubule assembly, as well as by cellular knock-down of the kinesin motor protein KIF17 (kinesin superfamily member 17), which transports NR2B-containing vesicles along microtubule in neuronal dendrites. Inhibition of either CaMKII (calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II) or MEK/ERK (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase) abolished the 5-HT(1A) modulation of NMDAR currents. Biochemical evidence also indicates that 5-HT(1A) activation reduced microtubule stability, which was abolished by CaMKII or MEK inhibitors. Moreover, immunocytochemical studies show that 5-HT(1A) activation decreased the number of surface NR2B subunits on dendrites, which was prevented by the microtubule stabilizer. Together, these results suggest that serotonin suppresses NMDAR function through a mechanism dependent on microtubule/kinesin-based dendritic transport of NMDA receptors that is regulated by CaMKII and ERK signaling pathways. The 5-HT(1A)-NMDAR interaction provides a potential mechanism underlying the role of serotonin in controlling emotional and cognitive processes subserved by PFC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14214, USA.
authors.forename: Eunice Y
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Yuen
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zhenglin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D054732:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D003712:Dendrites / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D016547:Kinesins / Q000502:physiology; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008870:Microtubules / Q000502:physiology*; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000502:physiology; D021381:Protein Transport; D051381:Rats; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / Q000502:physiology*; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000502:physiology*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology; D058825:Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Agonists; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins; C121001:NR2B NMDA receptor; D021122:Protein Subunits; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D058825:Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Agonists; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A; D012701:Serotonin; D054732:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D016547:Kinesins