Receptor-genes cross-talk: effect of chronic 5-HT(1A) agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin treatment on the expression of key genes in brain serotonin system and on behavior.

Dysfunction in brain serotonin (5-HT) system has been implicated in the psychopathology of anxiety, depression, drug addiction, and schizophrenia. The 5-HT(1A) receptors play a central role in the control of 5-HTergic neurotransmission. There are some scarce data showing cross-regulation between 5-HT receptors. Here, we investigated whether interaction exists between 5-HT(1A) receptor and genes encoding key members in brain 5-HT system. Chronic treatment with selective agonist of 5-HT(1A) receptor 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) (1.0 mg/kg i.p., 14 days) produced considerable decrease in hypothermic response to acute administration of 8-OH-DPAT in CBA/Lac mice indicating desensitization of 5-HT(1A) receptors. The decrease in 5-HT(1A) gene expression as well as decrease in the expression of gene encoding key enzyme in 5-HT synthesis, tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (TPH-2) in the midbrain, and the expression of the gene encoding 5-HT(2A) receptor in the frontal cortex was shown. There were no significant changes in 5-HT transporter mRNA level in the midbrain. Despite considerable decrease in the expression of the genes encoding tryptophan hydroxylase-2, 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2A) receptors, chronic 8-OH-DPAT treatment failed to produce significant changes in 5-HT(1A)-linked behavior (intermale aggression, open-field behavior, light-dark box, and pinch-induced catalepsy), suggesting compensatory and adaptive effect of genes suppression. The obtained data on the effect of 8-OH-DPAT-induced desensitization of 5-HT(1A) receptors on 5-HT(1A), 5-HT(2A) and TPH-2 gene expression demonstrated the role of 5-HT(1A) receptor as indirect regulator of gene expression. The results provide the first evidence of receptor-key genes interaction in brain 5-HT system and may have profound implications in understanding the functioning of the brain neurotransmitter systems. Copyright (c) 2010 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.