Identification of a novel planarian G-protein-coupled receptor that responds to serotonin in Xenopus laevis oocytes.
Planarians are useful animals for regenerative and neuroscience research at the molecular level. Previously, we have reported the distribution and function of neurotransmitter-synthesizing neurons in the planarian central nervous system. In order to understand the neural projections and connections, it is important to understand the distribution of neurotransmitter receptors. In this study, we isolated a serotonin receptor gene and named it DjSER-7 (Dugesia japonica serotonin receptor type 7). DjSER-7-expressing cells were distributed in the planarian brain. According to electrophysiological analysis using Xenopus oocytes, current response was detected upon exposure to serotonin, but not other neurotransmitters in oocytes that were co-injected with mRNAs of both DjSER-7 and Galpha chimera B-2, which can interact with either Gq-, Gs- or Gi-coupled receptor. In contrast, current response was not detected after exposure to neurotransmitters in oocytes injected with only DjSER-7 mRNA. Our results indicated that DjSER-7 responds to serotonin, as indicated by electrophysiological analysis using Xenopus oocytes.
Department of Neurobiology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan.
Kaneyasu
K
Nishimura
Kazuhiro
K
Unemura
Jun
J
Tsushima
Yosuke
Y
Yamauchi
Jun
J
Otomo
Takashi
T
Taniguchi
Shuji
S
Kaneko
Kiyokazu
K
Agata
Yoshihisa
Y
Kitamura
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D017238:Genes, Helminth; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D010932:Planarians / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012701:Serotonin