Transmembrane signaling in the brain by serotonin, a key regulator of physiology and emotion.
Serotonin (5-HT) is an ancient chemical that plays a crucial functional role in almost every living organism. It regulates platelet aggregation, activation of immune cells, and contraction of stomach and intestinal muscles. In addition, serotonin acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain and the peripheral nervous system. These activities are initiated by the binding of serotonin to 15 or more receptors that are pharmacologically classified into seven groups, 5-HT1 through 5-HT7. Each group is further divided into subgroups of receptors that are homologous but are encoded by discrete genes. With the exception of the 5-HT3 receptor--a cation channel--all of the others are G protein-coupled receptors that potentially activate or inhibit a large number of biochemical cascades. This review will endeavor to compare and contrast such signaling pathways with special attention to their tissue-specific occurrence, their possible role in immediate effects on covalent modification of other proteins, and relatively slower effects on gene expression, physiology and behavior.
Adayev
Tatyana
T
Department of Chemistry and the CSI/IBR Center for Developmental Neuroscience, The College of Staten Island (CUNY), Staten Island, NY 10314, USA.
Ranasinghe
Buddima
B
Banerjee
Probal
P
D000818:Animals; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D002412:Cations; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007477:Ions; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009132:Muscles / Q000378:metabolism; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000737:chemistry; D012701:Serotonin / Q000737:chemistry*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D002412:Cations; D007477:Ions; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012701:Serotonin; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins