Women and men differ in serotonin associated psychiatric conditions, such as depression, anxiety and suicide. Despite this, very few studies focus on sex differences in the serotonin system. Of the biomarkers in the serotonin system, serotonin(1A) (5-HT(1A)) receptor is implicated in depression, and anxiety and serotonin transporter (5-HTT) is a target for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor...

A number of recently solved crystal structures of G-protein coupled receptors reveal the presence of closely associated cholesterol molecules in the receptor structure. We have previously shown the requirement of membrane cholesterol in the organization, dynamics and function of the serotonin(1A) receptor, a representative G-protein coupled receptor. In this work, we explored the role of membra...

In this short primer we will discuss the total synthesis of lysergic acid, an important precursor to both acid diethylamide (LSD) and its derivatives. Lysergic is also noted as a for many drugs targeting serotonin receptor family GPCRs, including multiple known hallucinogens. More recently, reinvigorated interest in therapeutic potential psychedelics from academic commercial sectors has placed ...

OBJECTIVE Serotonin can induce human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (hPASMC) proliferation through reactive oxygen species (ROS), influencing the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We hypothesize that in PASMCs, serotonin induces oxidative stress through NADPH-oxidase-derived ROS generation and reduced Nrf-2 (nuclear factor [erythroid-derived 2]-like 2) antioxidant syste...

The cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway and prostanoids may critically contribute to the early allergic airway response. In the rat lung, serotonin (5-HT) is a major mediator of antigen-induced contractions. The aim of this study was therefore to examine the relative role of the COX pathway and serotonin for antigen-induced contractions in the rat lung. Airway responses were studied in rat precision-c...

Vilazodone HCl (VLN) is chemically 5-(4-[4-(5-cyano-1Hindol-3-yl) butyl] piperazin-1-yl) benzofuran-2-carboxamide hydrochloride [1] (Figure 1). It contains an indole piperazine that utilizes its function as an SSRI and 5-HT1a receptor partial agonist [2]. It belongs to the category of serotonergic antidepressant approved by FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for treatment of depressive disorder...

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter with broad functions in brain development, neuronal activity, and behaviors; and serotonin is the prominent drug target in several major neuropsychiatric diseases. The multiple actions of serotonin are mediated by diverse serotonin receptor subtypes and associated signaling pathways. However, the key signaling components that mediate specific function of serotoni...

BACKGROUND Tramadol-induced seizures might be pathologically associated with serotonin syndrome. Here, the authors investigated the relationship between serotonin and the seizure-inducing potential of tramadol. METHODS Two groups of rats received pretreatment to modulate brain levels of serotonin and one group was treated as a sham control (n = 6 per group). Serotonin modulation groups receiv...

Transglutaminase (TGase)-induced activation of small G proteins via 5-hydroxytryptamine (HT)(2A) receptor signaling leads to platelet aggregation (Cell 115:851-862, 2003). We hypothesize that stimulation of 5-HT(2A) receptors in neurons activates TGase, resulting in transamidation of serotonin to a small G protein, Rac1, thereby constitutively activating Rac1. Using immunoprecipitation and immu...