Subtype specific roles of serotonin receptors in the spine formation of cortical neurons in vitro

Neurosci Res. 2011 Nov;71(3):311-4. doi: 10.1016/j.neures.2011.07.1824. Epub 2011 Jul 23.

Abstract

Dendritic spines are postsynaptic structures which are formed from filopodia. We examined roles of serotonin (5-HT) receptors in the spine formation. Embryonic rat cortical neurons were cultured for 10 or 14 days and treated by 5-HT receptor agonists for 24 h. At 11 days in vitro, 5-HT(1A) agonist increased filopodia density, whereas 5-HT(2A/2C) agonist increased the density of puncta and spines. At 15 days in vitro, 5-HT(1A) agonist decreased the density of puncta and spines, whereas 5-HT(2A/2C) agonist decreased filopodia density with increase of spines. In conclusion, the present study shows 5-HT receptors have subtype-specific effects on the spine formation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology*
  • Cerebral Cortex / cytology*
  • Cerebral Cortex / drug effects
  • Cerebral Cortex / embryology*
  • Dendritic Spines / drug effects
  • Dendritic Spines / physiology*
  • Neurogenesis / drug effects
  • Neurogenesis / physiology*
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / physiology
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A / physiology
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C / physiology
  • Receptors, Serotonin / classification*
  • Receptors, Serotonin / physiology*

Substances

  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A