Abstract
Termination of serotonergic transmission is the function of the plasma membrane 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin, 5-HT) transporter (SERT), which is also a high-affinity target in vivo for antidepressants, amphetamines, and cocaine. Studies show that SERT is regulated by protein kinase- and phosphataselinked pathways. In contrast, receptor-linked modulation of SERT is only minimally defined. Because noradrenergic stimulation is reported to influence 5-HT release, we explored possible presynaptic adrenoceptor-mediated regulation of SERT. In mouse forebrain synaptosomes, α2-adrenoceptor agonists, particularly 5-bromo-N-[4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-6-quinoxalinamine (UK14304), triggered a concentration- and time-dependent decrease in 5-HT transport. In contrast, 5-HT uptake was unaffected by pharmacological α1-adrenoceptor activation. Kinetically, UK14304 significantly decreased the apparent substrate affinity, Km without altering transport capacity, Vmax. At concentrations of UK14304 supporting maximal inhibition of SERT in synaptosomes, no effect on SERT in transfected cells was observed, suggesting that UK14304 acts indirectly to reduce SERT activity. The effect of UK14304 on 5-HT uptake was not shared by other Na+ and Cl—-dependent transporters. UK14304-mediated inhibition of SERT function was yohimbine-sensitive, as was inhibition triggered by norepinephrine, and was abolished in the absence of added Ca2+. Moreover, UK14304 effects were attenuated by voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channel antagonists, consistent with a role for Ca2+ in UK14304 effects. In agreement with altered 5-HT transport activity in vitro, in vivo chronoamperometry studies revealed that UK14304 significantly prolonged 5-HT clearance. Our findings suggest that UK14304 modulates SERT function in vitro and in vivo via signaling pathways, possibly supported by an influx of Ca2+ through voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels.
Footnotes
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This work was supported by National Institute on Drug Abuse Award DA07390 to R.D.B., National Institute of Mental Health Award MH62612 to S.R., and National Institute of Mental Health Award MH64489 and National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression Young Investigator Award to L.C.D.
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Article, publication date, and citation information can be found at http://jpet.aspetjournals.org.
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DOI: 10.1124/jpet.102.047134.
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ABBREVIATIONS: 5-HT, 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin); NE, norepinephrine; CNS, central nervous system; SERT serotonin transporter; DAT, dopamine transporter; NET, norepinephrine transporter; BAPTA-AM, 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid-acetoxymethyl ester; KRB, Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate; HEK, human embryonic kidney; PBS, phosphate-buffered saline; DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide; ANOVA, analysis of variance.
- Received November 21, 2002.
- Accepted February 21, 2003.
- The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
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