Mechanisms of ligand-induced desensitization of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (2A) receptor

ABSTRACT We have examined the cellular processes underlying the desensitization of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 2A receptor induced by agonist or antagonist exposure. Treatment of C6 glioma cells with either 5-HT or the 5-HT 2A receptor antagonist ketanserin resulted in an attenuation in 5-HT 2A receptor function, specifically the accumulation of inositol phosphates stimulated by the partial agonist quipazine. 5-HT-induced desensitization of the 5-HT 2A receptor involved receptor internalization through a clathrin-and dynamin-dependent process because it was prevented by concanavalin A, monodansylcadaverine, and by expression of the dominant negative mutants ␤-arrestin (319 -418) and dynamin K44A. Although short-term (i.e., 10 min) 5-HT and ketanserin exposure resulted in the same degree of desensitization, ketanserin-induced desensitization was not prevented by these agents and did not involve receptor internalization. In contrast, prolonged ketanserin exposure (i.e., 2 h) resulted in 5-HT 2A receptor internalization through a clathrinand dynamin-dependent process, as was observed after agonist treatment. Inhibitors of protein kinase C or calcium-calmodulin kinase II did not attenuate or prevent 5-HT-induced desensitization of the receptor. 5-HT 2A receptor desensitization induced by 5-HT and prolonged ketanserin treatment, but not by short-term ketanserin treatment, was prevented by the expression of the dominant negative mutant of G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK)2, GRK2-K220R, and by an anti-GRK2/3 antibody. Our data indicate a dual mechanism of early and late desensitization by the antagonist ketanserin. Short-term ketanserin treatment reduced the specific binding of the agonist radioligand Desensitization of G protein-coupled receptors occurs during agonist exposure, often in a matter of minutes. Mechanisms underlying the desensitization of many G proteincoupled receptors have been elucidated in part by using the ␤-adrenergic receptor as a prototype The 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 2A receptor has been implicated in the mechanism of action of many psychoactive drugs such as hallucinogens, atypical neuroleptics, and antidepressants. The regulation of the 5-HT 2A receptor, however, does not appear to follow the pattern established for many other G protein-coupled receptors. Repeated administration of agonists Given the interest in the role of the 5-HT 2A receptor in the action of many psychoactive drugs and the apparent anomalous regulation of 5-HT 2A receptors by antagonists, including atypical neuroleptics and many antidepressant drug

Neurotrophic Factor Signaling in Alcoholism

This article presents the proceedings of a symposium presented at the meeting of the International Society for the Biomedical Research on Alcoholism (ISBRA), held in Manheim, Germany, in September 2004. The organizers and chairpersons were Subhash C. Pandey and Toshikazu Saito. The presentations were (1) Ethanol and NMDA receptor coupling to ERK signaling, by L.J. Chandler;(2) Ethanol modulation of CREB: Role in neurogenesis, by Fulton Crews;(3) Serotonin dysfunction and alcohol preference in mice deficient in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), by Julie G. Hensler; (4) BDNF gene and related signaling: role in anxiety and alcohol dependence and preference, by Subhash C. Pandey; (5) BDNF and CREB: role in ethanol induced neuronal damage, Wataru Ukai

Inhibition of fatty-acid amide hydrolase and CB1 receptor antagonism differentially affect behavioural responses in normal and PCP-treated rats

The cannabinoid hypothesis of schizophrenia tulates that over-activity of the endocannabinoid system might contribute to the aetiology of schizophrenia. In keeping with this hypothesis, increased expression of CB1 receptors, elevation of the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) and cannabinoid-induced cognitive changes have been reported in animal models of schizophrenia and psychotic patients. In this study we measured brain endocannabinoid levels and [35S]GTPS binding stimulated by the CB receptor agonist CP55,940 in rats undergoing withdrawal from subchronic administration of phencyclidine (PCP), a well-established pharmacological model of schizophrenia. We also investigated whether systemic application of the fatty-acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor URB597 or CB1 receptor blockade by AM251 affected the following PCP-induced behavioural deficits reminiscent of schizophrenia-like symptoms: (1) working-memory impairment (cognitive deficit), (2) social withdrawal (negative symptom), and (3) hyperactivity in response to d-amphetamine challenge (positive symptoms). PCP-treated rats showed increased endocannabinoid levels in the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area, whereas CB1 receptor expression and CP55,940-stimulated [35S]GTPS binding were unaltered. URB597 reversed the PCP-induced social withdrawal but caused social withdrawal and working-memory deficits in saline-treated rats that were comparable to those observed after PCP treatment. Administration of AM251 ameliorated the working-memory deficit in PCP-treated rats, but impaired working memory in saline-injected controls. Taken together, these results suggest that FAAH inhibition may improve negative symptoms in PCP-treated rats but produce deleterious effects in untreated animals, possibly by disturbing endocannabinoid tone. A similar pattern (beneficial for schizophrenia-related cognitive deficits, but detrimental under normal conditions) accompanies CB1 receptor blockade. © 2009 CINP

Chronic intermittent cold stress and serotonin depletion induce deficits of reversal learning in an attentional set-shifting test in rats

This find is registered at Portable Antiquities of the Netherlands with number PAN-0005330

Reduced Bdnf Attenuates Inflammation and Angiogenesis to Improve Survival and Cardiac Function Following Myocardial Infarction in Mice

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) increases in failing hearts, but BDNF roles in cardiac remodeling following myocardial infarction (MI) are unclear. Male BDNF+/+ [wild-type (WT)] and BDNF+/- heterozygous (HET) mice at 6-9 mo of age were subjected to MI and evaluated at days 1, 3, 5, 7, or 28 post-MI. At day 28 post-MI, 76% of HET versus 40% of WT survived, whereas fractional shortening improved and neovascularization levels were reduced in the HET (all, P \u3c 0.05). At day 1, post-MI, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) increased in WT, but not in HET. Concomitantly, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and -5 levels increased and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A decreased in HET. Neutrophil infiltration peaked at days 1-3 in WT mice, and this increase was blunted in HET. To determine if MPO administration could rescue the HET phenotype, MPO was injected at 3 h post-MI. MPO restored VEGF-A levels without altering matrix metalloproteinase- 9 or neutrophil content. In conclusion, reduced BDNF levels modulated the early inflammatory and neovascularization responses, leading to improved survival and reduced cardiac remodeling at day 28 post-MI. Thus reduced BDNF attenuates early inflammation following MI by modulating MPO and angiogenic response through VEGF-A