Molecular Approach to Hypothalamic Rhythms: Isolation of Novel Indoleamine Receptor Genes

Abstract

We have utilized polymerase chain reaction with primers corresponding to conserved amino acid sequences within membrane-spanning regions of known serotonin receptors to identify clones of four putative new indoleamine receptors. We have determined complete amino acid sequences of these four receptors, which fall into three subfamilies; two of these subfamilies are novel. The sites of expression within the brain have been determined for each of the genes. Expression in mammalian cells demonstrates that each new protein is a receptor for serotonin and that each has a distinct pharmacology when compared to known receptors. Two of the new receptors are coupled to cyclic adenosine monophosphate, one negatively (G_i) and one positively (G_s). The latter is a candidate for the serotonin receptor that mediates phase advances in circadian rhythms of the suprachiasmatic nucleus.