Molecular cloning and tissue distribution of mRNA encoding porcine 5-HT7 receptor and its comparison with the structure of other species.

The effects of 5-hydroxytriptamine (5-HT, serotonin) are mediated via five main receptor types of which the 5-HT7 receptor is the most recently characterised member. The 5-HT7 receptor has been shown to participate in mediating cranial blood vessels dilatation that may result in migraine headache. We report here the cDNA cloning, sequencing and tissue distribution of porcine 5-HT7 receptor and illustrate its comparison with corresponding receptor of known species. Employing a combination of reverse transcriptase and inverse polymerase chain reaction we amplified and sequenced a full length cDNA from the porcine cerebral cortex. The deduced amino acid sequence comparison confirmed that the cloned porcine receptor belongs to 5-HT7 receptor as described for human and other species and showing overall homology of 92-96%. The expression of 5-HT7 receptor mRNA was observed in porcine central (cerebral cortex, trigeminal ganglion and cerebellum) as well as in peripheral (pulmonary and coronary arteries, superior vena cava and saphenous vein) tissues. The established cDNA sequence and tissue distribution of porcine 5-HT7 receptor will be helpful in exploring the role of this receptor in pathophysiological processes and to predict as a potential therapeutic target for antimigraine drug development.