Choroid plexus epithelial cells in primary culture: a model of 5HT1C receptor activation by hallucinoginic drugs (original) (raw)

Abstract

Behavioral, electrophysiological and biochemical evidence suggest that the 5HT2 receptor plays a role in the action of hallucinogenic agents. Considering the structural and functional similarities between the 5HT2 and 5HT1C receptors, we hypothesized that the 5HT1C receptor may also be an important site of action of hallucinogens. The present manuscript evaluates this hypothesis by examining the properties of hallucinogens in the phenalkylamine and indolealkylamine classes at 5HT1C receptors. Epithelial cells isolated from the rat choroid plexus have a high density of 5HT1C receptors linked to phosphoinositide hydrolysis. Comparison of the actions of drugs in cultured cells and whole choroid plexus confirmed that the cell culture system can serve as an in vitro model of 5HT1C receptor activation. 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-bromoamphetamine (DOB), 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine (DOM), 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) were evaluated. The rank order of potency to activate 5HT1C receptors [(−)DOB>(±) DOI>(+)DOB>(−)DOM≫(−)MDA>(+) MDA] was consistent with the rank order of effective behavioral doses in rats and humans. The indolealkylamine hallucinogen, 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine was also a 5HT1C receptor agonist, as is the primary amine, 5-methoxytryptamine. These data, combined with previous studies showing that (+)LSD potently activates 5HT1C receptors, suggest that future investigations of the mechanism of action of hallucinogens should consider the role of 5HT1C receptors in addition to the more commonly investigated 5HT2 receptors.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 37232, Nashville, TN, USA
    Elaine Sanders-Bush

Authors

  1. Elaine Sanders-Bush
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  2. Marsha Breeding
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Supported in part by ADAMHA research grant, DA 05181

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sanders-Bush, E., Breeding, M. Choroid plexus epithelial cells in primary culture: a model of 5HT1C receptor activation by hallucinoginic drugs.Psychopharmacology 105, 340–346 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02244428

Download citation

Key words