title: Light-activated serotonin for exploring its action in biological systems.
abstract: Serotonin (5-HT) is a neuromodulator involved in regulating mood, appetite, memory, learning, pain, and establishment of left-right (LR) asymmetry in embryonic development. To explore the role of 5-HT in physiology, we have created two forms of "caged" 5-HT, BHQ-O-5HT and BHQ-N-5HT. When exposed to 365 or 740 nm light, BHQ-O-5HT releases 5-HT through one- or two-photon excitation, respectively. BHQ-O-5HT mediated changes in neural activity in cultured mouse primary sensory neurons and the trigeminal ganglion and optic tectum of intact zebrafish larvae in the form of high-amplitude spiking in response to light. In Xenopus laevis embryos, light-activated 5-HT increased the occurrence of LR patterning defects. Maximal rates of LR defects were observed when 5-HT was released at stage 5 compared with stage 8. These experiments show the potential for BHQ-caged serotonins in studying 5-HT-regulated physiological processes.
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
authors: Adam C
authors: AC
authors: Rea
authors: Biology Department and Tufts Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology, Tufts University, Suite 4600, 200 Boston Avenue, Medford, MA 02155-4243, USA.
authors: Laura N
authors: LN
authors: Vandenberg
authors: Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
authors: Rebecca E
authors: RE
authors: Ball
authors: Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
authors: Ashley A
authors: AA
authors: Snouffer
authors: Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
authors: Alicia G
authors: AG
authors: Hudson
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
authors: Yue
authors: Y
authors: Zhu
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; New York University Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
authors: Duncan E
authors: DE
authors: McLain
authors: Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
authors: Lindsey L
authors: LL
authors: Johnston
authors: Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
authors: James D
authors: JD
authors: Lauderdale
authors: Biology Department and Tufts Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology, Tufts University, Suite 4600, 200 Boston Avenue, Medford, MA 02155-4243, USA.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Levin
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; New York University Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Electronic address: timothy.dore@nyu.edu.
authors: Timothy M
authors: TM
authors: Dore
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D008027:Light; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D012701:Serotonin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D013477:Superior Colliculi / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000196:embryology; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin