title: Characterization of the 5-HT1A receptor of the honeybee (Apis mellifera) and involvement of serotonin in phototactic behavior.
abstract: Serotonin plays a key role in modulating various physiological and behavioral processes in both protostomes and deuterostomes. The vast majority of serotonin receptors belong to the superfamily of G-protein-coupled receptors. We report the cloning of a cDNA from the honeybee (Am5-ht1A) sharing high similarity with members of the 5-HT(1) receptor class. Activation of Am5-HT(1A) by serotonin inhibited the production of cAMP in a dose-dependent manner (EC(50) = 16.9 nM). Am5-HT(1A) was highly expressed in brain regions known to be involved in visual information processing. Using in vivo pharmacology, we could demonstrate that Am5-HT(1A) receptor ligands had a strong impact on the phototactic behavior of individual bees. The data presented here mark the first comprehensive study-from gene to behavior-of a 5-HT(1A) receptor in the honeybee, paving the way for the eventual elucidation of additional roles of this receptor subtype in the physiology and behavior of this social insect.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Animal Physiology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thamm
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Balfanz
authors.forename: Ricarda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Scheiner
authors.forename: Arnd
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baumann
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Blenau
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008024:Ligands; D008027:Light; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009068:Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D024521:Mushroom Bodies / Q000378:metabolism; D009899:Optic Lobe, Nonmammalian / Q000378:metabolism; D011224:Prazosin / Q000494:pharmacology; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D019476:Insect Proteins; D008024:Ligands; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A; D012701:Serotonin; C047087:5-carboxamidotryptamine; D011224:Prazosin