Central serotonin2C receptor: from physiology to pathology.
Since the 1950s, when serotonin (5-HT) was discovered in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), an enormous amount of experimental evidence has revealed the pivotal role of this biogenic amine in a number of cognitive and behavioural functions. Although 5-HT is synthesized by a small group of neurons within the raphe nuclei of the brain stem, almost all parts of the CNS receive serotonergic projections. Furthermore, the importance of 5-HT modulation and the fine-tuning of its action is underlined by the large number of 5-HT binding sites found in the CNS. Hitherto, up to 15 different 5-HT receptors subtypes have been identified. This review was undertaken to summarize the work that has explored the pathophysiological role of one of these receptors, the 5-HT2C receptor, that has been emerged as a prominent central serotonin receptor subtype. The physiology, pharmacology and anatomical distribution of the 5-HT2C receptors in the CNS will be firstly reviewed. Finally, their potential involvement in the pathophysiology of depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease and drug abuse will be also discussed.
Di Giovanni
Giuseppe
G
Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sezione di Fisiologia Umana G. Pagano, Università di Palermo, C.so Tuköry, 129 I-90134 Palermo, Italy.
Di Matteo
Vincenzo
V
Pierucci
Massimo
M
Benigno
Arcangelo
A
Esposito
Ennio
E
D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D011487:Protein Conformation; D044405:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
D044405:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C