title: Mice over-expressing the 5-HT(1A) receptor in cortex and dentate gyrus display exaggerated locomotor and hypothermic response to 8-OH-DPAT.
abstract: The serotonin 1A (5-HT(1A)) receptor is one of the best described receptor subtypes of the serotonergic system. Due to the complex distribution pattern, the pre- and postsynaptic localisation, the impact on various monoamines, as well as the influence on a wide range of physiological functions, the contribution of 5-HT(1A) receptors to behavioural outcomes is difficult to define. In this study, we present a new transgenic mouse model with a prominent over-expression of the 5-HT(1A) receptor in the outer cortical layers (I-III) and the dentate gyrus. Behavioural studies revealed a slight decrease in baseline motor activity of homozygous mice during the open field test. Moreover, core body temperature of male transgenic mice was significantly lower than that of wild-type mice. Pharmacological studies with the 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT (0.1-2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) revealed an exaggerated drug response in mutant mice. 8-OH-DPAT led to a drastic decrease in motor activity in the open field and elevated plus maze test. This significant effect on motor activity became more apparent by investigating the serotonergic syndrome induced by 8-OH-DPAT. Concentration as low as 0.5 mg/kg 8-OH-DPAT caused immobility in transgenic mice for 30 min, head weaving behaviour, and backward walking, whereas in wild-type animals, typical behaviours of the serotonin syndrome were first observed at concentrations of 1.5 mg/kg and more. In addition, the 8-OH-DPAT induced hypothermia was more pronounced in mutant mice than in wild-type animals. Therefore, these genetically modified mice represent a promising model for further investigations of the role of 5-HT(1A) receptors.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Koserstrasse 20, 14195 Berlin, Germany. bert.bettina@vetmed.fu-berlin.de
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bert
authors.forename: Heidrun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.forename: Heide
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hörtnagl
authors.forename: Rüdiger W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Veh
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Franz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Theuring
authors.forename: Heike
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kusserow
mesh_terms: D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018891:Dentate Gyrus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D046353:Immobility Response, Tonic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020230:Serotonin Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A; D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin