Interplay between Serotonin 5‐ HT 1A and 5‐ HT 7 Receptors in Depressive Disorders

• Published in: CNS neuroscience & therapeutics Vol. 20; no. 7; pp. 582 - 590
• Main Authors: Naumenko, Vladimir S., Popova, Nina K., Lacivita, Enza, Leopoldo, Marcello, Ponimaskin, Evgeni G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken John Wiley and Sons Inc 01.07.2014
• Subjects: Review
• ISSN: 1755-5930; 1755-5949
• DOI: 10.1111/cns.12247

Summary Serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine or 5‐ HT ) is an important neurotransmitter regulating a wide range of physiological and pathological functions via activation of heterogeneously expressed 5‐ HT receptors. Besides the important role of 5‐ HT receptors in the pathogenesis of depressive disorders and in their clinical medications, underlying mechanisms are far from being completely understood. This review focuses on possible cross talk between two serotonin receptors, 5‐ HT 1A and the 5‐ HT 7 . Although these receptors are highly co‐expressed in brain regions implicated in depression, and most agonists developed for the 5‐ HT 1A or 5‐ HT 7 receptors have cross‐reactivity, their functional interaction has not been yet established. It has been recently shown that 5‐ HT 1A and 5‐ HT 7 receptors form homo‐ and heterodimers both in vitro and in vivo . From the functional point of view, heterodimerization has been shown to play an important role in regulation of receptor‐mediated signaling and internalization, suggesting the implication of heterodimerization in the development and maintenance of depression. Interaction between these receptors is also of clinical interest, because both receptors represent an important pharmacological target for the treatment of depression and anxiety.