title: Pharmacology of serotonin-induced salivary secretion in Periplaneta americana.
abstract: The acinar salivary gland of the cockroach, Periplaneta americana, is innervated by dopaminergic and serotonergic nerve fibers. Stimulation of the glands by serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) results in the production of a protein-rich saliva, whereas stimulation by dopamine results in saliva that is protein-free. Thus, dopamine acts selectively on ion-transporting peripheral cells within the acini, and 5-HT acts on protein-producing central cells. We have investigated the pharmacology of the 5-HT-induced secretory activity of isolated salivary glands of P. americana by testing several 5-HT receptor agonists and antagonists. The effects of 5-HT can be mimicked by the non-selective 5-HT receptor agonist 5-methoxytryptamine. All tested agonists that display at least some receptor subtype specificity in mammals, i.e., 5-carboxamidotryptamine, (+/-)-8-OH-DPAT, (+/-)-DOI, and AS 19, were ineffective in stimulating salivary secretion. 5-HT-induced secretion can be blocked by the vertebrate 5-HT receptor antagonists methiothepin, cyproheptadine, and mianserin. Our pharmacological data indicate that the pharmacology of arthropod 5-HT receptors is remarkably different from that of their vertebrate counterparts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
authors.forename: Britta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Troppmann
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Walz
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Blenau
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D010526:Periplaneta / Q000187:drug effects*; D012472:Salivation / Q000187:drug effects*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D012701:Serotonin