Evidence for distinct antagonist-revealed functional states of 5-hydroxytryptamine(2A) receptor homodimers

Mol Pharmacol. 2009 Jun;75(6):1380-91. doi: 10.1124/mol.108.054395. Epub 2009 Mar 11.

Abstract

The serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) 2A receptor is a cell surface class A G protein-coupled receptor that regulates a multitude of physiological functions of the body and is a target for antipsychotic drugs. Here we found by means of fluorescence resonance energy transfer and immunoprecipitation studies that the 5-HT(2A)-receptor homodimerized in live cells, which we linked with its antagonist-dependent fingerprint in both binding and receptor signaling. Some antagonists, like the atypical antipsychotics clozapine and risperidone, differentiate themselves from others, like the typical antipsychotic haloperidol, antagonizing these 5-HT(2A) receptor-mediated functions in a pathway-specific manner, explained here by a new model of multiple active interconvertible conformations at dimeric receptors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
  • Humans
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Models, Biological
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Multimerization
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A / physiology
  • Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A
  • Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists