When the endogenous hallucinogenic trace amine N,N-dimethyltryptamine meets the sigma-1 receptor.
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a hallucinogen found endogenously in human brain that is commonly recognized to target the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor or the trace amine-associated receptor to exert its psychedelic effect. DMT has been recently shown to bind sigma-1 receptors, which are ligand-regulated molecular chaperones whose function includes inhibiting various voltage-sensitive ion channels. Thus, it is possible that the psychedelic action of DMT might be mediated in part through sigma-1 receptors. Here, we present a hypothetical signaling scheme that might be triggered by the binding of DMT to sigma-1 receptors.
Su
Tsung-Ping
TP
Cellular Pathobiology Section, Cellular Neurobiology Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. TSU@intra.nida.nih.gov
Hayashi
Teruo
T
Vaupel
D Bruce
DB
D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D004130:N,N-Dimethyltryptamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D017480:Receptors, sigma / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D000097605:Sigma-1 Receptor
D006213:Hallucinogens; D004130:N,N-Dimethyltryptamine; D017480:Receptors, sigma; D000097605:Sigma-1 Receptor