Abstract
Intracellular recordings from the dorsal root ganglion cells of adult frogs in the presence of tetraethylammonium display action potentials with a prominent calcium-dependent plateau. These action potentials can be altered by serotonergic agents in one of two ways. The superfusion of 5-HT (0.1-1 μM) usually produces a dose-dependent reduction of the action potential duration, whereas 8-hydroxy dipropylaminotetralin (8-OH-DPAT) (10-50 μM) produces a dose-dependent increase in duration. A series of 5-HT antagonists were tested for their ability to block either the 5-HT or the 8-OH-DPAT effect. The antagonists were chosen for their reported selectivity in distinguishing receptors of the 5-HT(1A), 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 subtypes. The antagonists' action on 5-HT narrowing [blockade by methiothepin, spiperone and spiroxitrine, but not by ketanserin or 3-tropyl-indole-3-carboxylate (ICS 205-930)] suggests that this response is mediated by 5-HT(1A) receptors. The widening effect produced by 8-OH-DPAT (a putative 5-HT(1A) agonist) was not blocked by any antagonist tested. At lower concentrations (0.1-2.5 μM) 8-OH-DPAT exhibited no agonist actions, but antagonized the 5-HT-induced narrowing. These results suggest the 5-HT receptors mediating 5-HT action potential narrowing in these cells are of the 5-HT(1A) subtype, but that they differ from the 5-HT(1A) receptors described in other tissues in which 8-OH-DPAT is an agonist or a partial agonist.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 399-404 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics |
Volume | 247 |
Issue number | 2 |
State | Published - 1988 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Molecular Medicine
- Pharmacology