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5-HT2A receptor

Subtype of serotonin receptor From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

5-HT2A receptor
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The 5-HT2A receptor is a subtype of the 5-HT2 receptor that belongs to the serotonin receptor family and functions as a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR).[4] It is a cell surface receptor[5] that activates multiple intracellular signalling cascades.[6] Like all 5-HT2 receptors, the 5-HT2A receptor is coupled to the Gq/G11 signaling pathway. It is the primary excitatory receptor subtype among the serotonin-responsive GPCRs. The 5-HT2A receptor was initially noted for its central role as the primary target of serotonergic psychedelic drugs such as LSD and psilocybin mushrooms. It later regained research prominence when found to mediate, at least in part, the effects of many antipsychotic drugs, particularly atypical antipsychotics.

Quick Facts HTR2A, Identifiers ...
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Downregulation of post-synaptic 5-HT2A receptors is an adaptive response triggered by chronic administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and atypical antipsychotics. Elevated 5-HT2A receptor density has been observed in suicidal and otherwise depressed patients, suggesting that post-synaptic 5-HT2A receptor overexpression may contribute to the pathogenesis of depression.[7] Paradoxically, several 5-HT2A receptor antagonists can also induce receptor downregulation.[8] This effect may lead to reverse tolerance, rather than the expected development of tolerance. However, at least one antagonist has been shown to upregulate 5-HT2A receptor expression,[8][9] and a few others appear to have no effect on receptor levels.[10] Nonetheless, such upregulation remains the exception rather than the rule.

Importantly, neither tolerance nor rebound has been observed in humans in relation to the slow-wave sleep (SWS)-promoting effects of 5-HT2A antagonists.[11]

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History

5-HT receptors were split into two classes by John Gaddum and Picarelli when it was discovered that some of the serotonin-induced changes in the gut could be blocked by morphine, while the remainder of the response was inhibited by dibenzyline, leading to the naming of M and D receptors, respectively. 5-HT2A is thought to correspond to what was originally described as D subtype of 5-HT receptors by Gaddum and Picarelli.[12] In the era before molecular cloning, when radioligand binding and displacement was the only major tool, spiperone and LSD were shown to label two different 5-HT receptors, and neither of them displaced morphine, leading to naming of the 5-HT1, 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors, corresponding to high affinity sites from LSD, spiperone and morphine, respectively.[13] Later it was shown that the 5-HT2 was very close to 5-HT1C and thus were grouped together, renaming the 5-HT2 into 5-HT2A. Thus, the 5-HT2 receptor family is composed of three separate molecular entities: the 5-HT2A (formerly known as 5-HT2 or D), the 5-HT2B (formerly known as 5-HT2F) and the 5-HT2C (formerly known as 5-HT1C) receptors.[14]

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Gene

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Chromosome 13.

The 5-HT2A receptors is coded by the HTR2A gene. In humans the gene is located on chromosome 13. The gene has previously been called just HTR2 until the description of two related genes HTR2B and HTR2C. Several interesting polymorphisms have been identified for HTR2A: A-1438G (rs6311), C102T (rs6313), and His452Tyr (rs6314). Many more polymorphisms exist for the gene. A 2006 paper listed 255.[15][16]

Probable role in fibromyalgia as the T102C polymorphisms of the gene 5HT2A were common in fibromyalgia patients.[17]

Human HTR2A gene is thought to consist of 3 introns and 4 exons and to overlap with human gene HTR2A-AS1 which consists of 18 exons.[18] There are over 200 organisms that have orthologs with the human HTR2A. Currently, the best documented orthologs for HTR2A gene are the mouse,[19] and zebrafish.[20] There are 8 paralogs for the HTR2A gene. The HTR2A gene is known to interact and activate G-protein genes such as GNA14, GNAI1, GNAI3, GNAQ, and GNAZ.[21] These interactions are critical for cell signaling[22][23] and homeostasis [24] in many organisms.[25]

In human brain tissue, regulation of HTR2A varies depending on the region:[18] frontal cortex, amygdala, thalamus, brain stem and cerebellum. In a paper from 2016, they found that HTR2A undergoes a variety of different splicing events, including utilization of alternative splice acceptor sites, exon skipping, rare exon usage, and intron retention.[18]

Transcriptional regulation

There are a few mechanisms of regulation for HTR2A gene such regulated by DNA methylation at particular transcript binding sites.[26][27] Another mechanism for the correct regulation of gene expression is achieved through alternative splicing. This is a co-transcriptional process, which allows the generation of multiple forms of mRNA transcript from a single coding unit and is emerging as an important control point for gene expression. In this process, exons or introns can be either included or excluded from precursor-mRNA resulting in multiple mature mRNA variants.[28] These mRNA variants result in different isoforms which may have antagonistic functions or differential expression patterns, yielding plasticity and adaptability to the cells.[29] One study found that the common genetic variant rs6311 regulates expression of HTR2A transcripts containing the extended 5' UTR.[18]

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Tissue distribution

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5-HT2A is expressed widely throughout the central nervous system (CNS).[30] It is expressed near most of the serotonergic terminal rich areas, including neocortex (mainly prefrontal, parietal, and somatosensory cortex) and the olfactory tubercle [citation needed]. Especially high concentrations of this receptor on the apical dendrites of pyramidal cells in layer V of the cortex may modulate cognitive processes, working memory, and attention[31][32][33] by enhancing glutamate release followed by a complex range of interactions with the 5-HT1A,[34] GABAA,[35] adenosine A1,[36] AMPA,[37] mGluR2/3,[38] mGlu5,[39] and OX2 receptors.[40][41] In the rat cerebellum, the protein has also been found in the Golgi cells of the granular layer,[42] and in the Purkinje cells.[43][44]

In the periphery, it is highly expressed in platelets and many cell types of the cardiovascular system, in fibroblasts, and in neurons of the peripheral nervous system. Additionally, 5-HT2A mRNA expression has been observed in human monocytes.[45] Whole-body distribution of the 5-HT2A/2C receptor agonist, [11C]Cimbi-36 show uptake in several internal organs and brown adipose tissue (BAT), but it is not clear if this represents specific 5-HT2A receptor binding.[46]

Structure

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The 5-HT2A receptor is a member of the class A (rhodopsin-like) G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family, characterized by seven transmembrane α-helices connected by extracellular and intracellular loops.[47][48] Its ligand-binding pocket is composed of two adjacent subpockets: the orthosteric binding pocket (OBP) and an extended binding pocket (EBP), with a unique side-extended cavity near the orthosteric site that distinguishes it from related receptors.[49][50] Ligands are anchored primarily through a conserved aspartate residue (D155^3.32) that interacts with their charged amine groups, while additional interactions involve hydrophobic contacts and hydrogen bonds with residues in both the OBP and EBP.[50][51] Structural studies reveal that the receptor undergoes significant conformational changes upon activation, particularly in transmembrane helices 3 and 6, which facilitate G protein coupling and signal transduction.[47][50] The extracellular ligand-binding pocket is closed by a flexible “lid,” and the intracellular region includes a short helix (H8) stabilized by π-stacking interactions, both of which contribute to the receptor's dynamic conformational landscape.[50] These structural features underlie the receptor’s ability to recognize diverse ligands and mediate complex signaling behaviors.

The cryo-EM structures of the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor with a variety of serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonists, including the tryptamines serotonin (neurotransmitter and endogenous agonist), psilocin (psychedelic), and dimethyltryptamine (DMT) (psychedelic), the lysergamides LSD (psychedelic) and 2-bromo-LSD (BOL-148) (non-hallucinogenic), and the phenethylamines mescaline (psychedelic) and RS130-180 (β-arrestin-biased agonist with unknown hallucinogenic potential), have been solved and published by Bryan Roth and colleagues.[52][53]

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Function

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The 5-HT2A receptor is a subtype of serotonin receptor that plays a critical role in the central nervous system, particularly in regions involved in cognition, learning, and memory.[54] It is highly expressed in the cerebral cortex, especially in layer V pyramidal neurons and certain interneurons, where it modulates thalamocortical information processing and may influence gamma oscillations, which are important for sensory integration and perception.[55] Functionally, the 5-HT2A receptor is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that primarily signals through the phospholipase C (PLC) pathway, leading to the production of inositol triphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol, but it can also activate other signaling cascades such as arachidonic acid and 2-arachidonylglycerol pathways.[55] Notably, the receptor exhibits "functional selectivity," meaning different ligands can differentially activate these signaling pathways, which is relevant for the distinct effects of hallucinogens, antipsychotics, and antidepressants that target the receptor.[55][51] Activation of the 5-HT2A receptor by agonists is associated with enhanced cognition and hallucinogenic effects, while antagonists have antipsychotic and antidepressant properties.[54] Dysregulation of 5-HT2A receptor function has been implicated in psychiatric disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, and drug addiction.[54] Additionally, the receptor undergoes unique regulatory processes, including desensitization and internalization that are partly independent of β-arrestin, further distinguishing it from other GPCRs and influencing its response to long-term pharmacological modulation.[55]

Signaling cascade

The 5-HT2A receptor is known primarily to couple to the Gαq signal transduction pathway. Upon receptor stimulation with agonist, Gαq and β-γ subunits dissociate to initiate downstream effector pathways. Gαq stimulates phospholipase C (PLC) activity, which subsequently promotes the release of diacylglycerol (DAG) and inositol triphosphate (IP3), which in turn stimulate protein kinase C (PKC) activity and Ca2+ release.[56]

Effects

Physiological processes mediated by the receptor include:

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Ligands

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Agonists

Further information: List of miscellaneous 5-HT2A receptor agonists

Activation of the 5-HT2A receptor is necessary for the effects of the "classic" psychedelics like LSD, psilocin and mescaline, which act as full or partial agonists at this receptor, and represent the three main classes of 5-HT2A agonists, the ergolines, tryptamines and phenethylamines, respectively. A very large family of derivatives from these three classes has been developed, and their structure-activity relationships have been extensively researched.[70][71] Agonists acting at 5-HT2A receptors located on the apical dendrites of pyramidal cells within regions of the prefrontal cortex are believed to mediate hallucinogenic activity. Some findings reveal that psychoactive effects of classic psychedelics are mediated by the receptor heterodimer 5-HT2A–mGlu2 and not by monomeric 5-HT2A receptors.[72][73][57] However, newer research suggests that 5HT2A and mGlu2 receptors do not physically associate with each other, so the former findings have questionable relevance.[74] Agonists enhance dopamine in PFC,[33] enhance memory and play an active role in attention and learning.[75][76]

Serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonists include serotonergic psychedelics[77] and non-hallucinogenic agents.[78][79] Psychedelics have widely been encountered as recreational drug or drugs of misuse, with potential clinical consequences such as overdose, hospitalization, bad trips and worsened mental health, and rare adverse effects such as seizures, psychosis, and hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD).[80][81] On the other hand, psychedelics and non-hallucinogenic serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonists are under development as novel treatments for psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, and addiction as well as other conditions like cluster headaches.[82][83][84][85][86] Both psychedelics and non-hallucinogenic serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonists are claimed to act as psychoplastogens and this might be involved in their therapeutic effects.[85][87][88]

Anti-inflammatory effects

Various serotonergic psychedelics, acting as serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonists, have been found to be highly potent and efficacious anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents in preclinical research (i.e., animal and in-vitro studies).[89][90][91][92][93][94][95] In contrast to corticosteroids however, psychedelics with anti-inflammatory effects do not appear to suppress the immune system.[89][90] Some psychedelics have been found to be far more potent in their anti-inflammatory effects than in their psychedelic effects.[91][92] For instance, (R)-DOI is 30- to >50-fold more potent in producing anti-inflammatory effects than in producing psychedelic-like behavioral effects in animal research.[91][92][90] Psilocin, the active form of psilocybin, has similar anti-inflammatory potency as (R)-DOI.[90][91][95]

The potencies of psychedelics and other serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonists as anti-inflammatory drugs vary, with 2C-I, DOIB, 2C-B, 4-HO-DiPT, DOI, 2,5-DMA, DOET, DOM, psilocin, and 2C-H being highly potent and fully efficacious anti-inflammatories; TMA-2, 2C-B-Fly, TCB-2, ETH-LAD, LSD, and 2C-T-33 being partially efficacious anti-inflammatories; and lisuride, 1-methylpsilocin, 5-MeO-DMT, and DMT having negligible efficacy.[90][95] Both non-hallucinogenic agents with full anti-inflammatory effects, such as 2,5-DMA, and non-anti-inflammatory agents with full psychedelic effects, such as DOTFM, are known.[95][96][97] Hence, the psychedelic and anti-inflammatory effects of serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonists appear to be fully dissociable.[95][96][97] These effects appear to be mediated by different intracellular signaling pathways, although the exact pathways are unclear.[97]

Serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonists with anti-inflammatory effects but reduced psychedelic effects, such as 2C-iBu (ELE-02), are under development for the potential treatment of inflammatory conditions.[98][99][100] They may also have applications in the treatment of neuroinflammation.[89][92] The anti-inflammatory effects of psychedelics might be involved in the claimed effects of psychedelic microdosing.[101][102] Relatedly, LSD microdosing is being studied in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease specifically for its anti-inflammatory effects.[103][104]

Full agonists

Partial agonists

Selective agonists

Peripherally selective agonists

One effect of 5-HT2A receptor activation is a reduction in intraocular pressure, and so 5-HT2A agonists can be useful for the treatment of glaucoma. This has led to the development of compounds such as AL-34662 that are hoped to reduce pressure inside the eyes but without crossing the blood–brain barrier and producing hallucinogenic side effects.[139] Animal studies with this compound showed it to be free of hallucinogenic effects at doses up to 30 mg/kg, although several of its more lipophilic analogues did produce the head-twitch response known to be characteristic of hallucinogenic effects in rodents.[140]

Antagonists

Serotonin 5-HT2A receptor antagonists, including many atypical antipsychotics, more selective agents like pimavanserin, and certain antidepressants and hypnotics like trazodone, mirtazapine, tricyclic antidepressants, and hydroxyzine, are used in the treatment of psychiatric disorders and other conditions such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, and insomnia.[141][142][143] Ketanserin, a dual serotonin 5-HT2A receptor antagonist and α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist, is used as an antihypertensive agent.[144][143] The non-selective serotonin 5-HT2A receptor antagonist cyproheptadine is frequently used off-label to treat serotonin syndrome, albeit based on limited clinical evidence.[145][146][147] Serotonin 5-HT2A receptor antagonists like ketanserin have been used as psychedelic antidotes or "trip killers" to manage the hallucinogenic effects of serotonergic psychedelics.[148][149][150]

List of antagonists

Peripherally selective antagonists

Antagonists and cardiovascular disease

Increased 5-HT2A expression is observed in patients with coronary thrombosis, and the receptor has been associated with processes that influence atherosclerosis.[162] As the receptor is present in coronary arteries[163] and capable of mediating vasoconstriction, 5-HT2A has also been linked to coronary artery spasms.[164] 5-HT antagonism, therefore, has potential in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, however, no studies have been published so far.[162]

Inverse agonists

Positive allosteric modulators

Positive allosteric modulators of the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor have been identified.[173][174] These include CTW0404 and CTW0419.[173][174] They selectively potentiated the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor without affecting the serotonin 5-HT2B and 5-HT2C receptors.[173][174] Unlike serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonists, they did not substitute for the serotonergic psychedelic (R)-DOI in drug discrimination tests and did not produce the head-twitch response, suggesting that they lack hallucinogenic effects.[173][174] Instead, they blunted the (R)-DOI-induced head-twitch response.[174] The (R)-enantiomer of glaucine has also been reported to be a serotonin 5-HT2A receptor positive allosteric modulator.[175]

Functional selectivity

5-HT2A-receptor ligands may differentially activate the transductional pathways (see above). Studies evaluated the activation of two effectors, PLC and PLA2, by means of their second messengers. Compounds displaying more pronounced functional selectivity are 2,5-DMA and 2C-N. The former induces IP accumulation without activating the PLA2 mediated response, while the latter elicits AA release without activating the PLC mediated response.[176]

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Recent research has suggested potential signaling differences within the somatosensory cortex between 5-HT2A agonists that produce headshakes in the mouse and those that do not, such as lisuride, as these agents are also non-hallucinogenic in humans despite being active 5-HT2A agonists.[177][178] One known example of differences in signal transduction is between the two 5-HT2A agonists serotonin and DOI that involves differential recruitment of intracellular proteins called β-arrestins, more specifically arrestin beta 2.[179][180] Cyclopropylmethanamine derivatives such as (−)-19 have also been shown to act as 5-HT2A/2C agonists with functional selectivity for Gq-mediated signaling compared with β-arrestin recruitment.[181]

Serotonin-elevating drugs

Besides direct serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonists, many drugs elevate serotonin levels and indirectly activate serotonin 5-HT2A receptors.[182][183] Examples include antidepressants and anxiolytics such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and serotonin precursors like tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP).[182][183] In addition, serotonin releasing agents (SRAs), including appetite suppressants like fenfluramine and chlorphentermine and entactogens like MDMA, elevate serotonin levels and indirectly activate serotonin 5-HT2A receptors similarly.[184][185][186][187][188][189] Serotonin 5-HT2A receptor activation may be involved in the therapeutic effects of serotonin-elevating medications[182][183] and appears to be importantly involved in the subjective effects of SRAs like MDMA.[149] Serotonin-elevating drugs can cause serotonin syndrome under certain circumstances, for instance in overdose or with combination of multiple serotonergic drugs, and the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor appears to be a key serotonin receptor in mediating this syndrome.[190][191][192]

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Methods to analyse the receptor

The receptor can be analysed by neuroimaging, radioligand, genetic analysis, measurements of ion flows, and other ways.[citation needed]

Neuroimaging

The 5-HT2A receptors may be imaged with PET-scanners using the fluorine-18-altanserin,[193] MDL 100,907[194] or [11C]Cimbi-36[105][195] radioligands that binds to the neuroreceptor, e.g., one study reported a reduced binding of altanserin particularly in the hippocampus in patients with major depressive disorder.[196]

Altanserin uptake decreases with age reflecting a loss of specific 5-HT2A receptors with age.[197][198][199]

Other

Western blot with an affinity-purified antibody and examination of 5-HT2A receptor protein samples by electrophoresis has been described. Immunohistochemical staining of 5-HT2A receptors is also possible.[5]

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Clinical significance

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Associations with psychiatric disorders

Several studies have seen links between the -1438G/A polymorphism and mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder.[200] and a strong link with an odds ratio of 1.3 has been found between the T102C polymorphism and schizophrenia.[201]

The T102C polymorphism has also been studied in relation to suicide attempts, with a study finding excess of the C/C genotype among the suicide attempters.[202] A number of other studies were devoted to finding an association of the gene with schizophrenia, with diverging results.[203]

These individual studies may, however, not give a full picture: A review from 2007 looking at the effect of different SNPs reported in separate studies stated that "genetic association studies [of HTR2A gene variants with psychiatric disorders] report conflicting and generally negative results" with no involvement, small or a not replicated role for the genetic variant of the gene.[204]

Polymorphisms in the promoter gene coding Early growth response 3 (EGR3) are associated with schizophrenia. Studies have demonstrated a relationship between EGR3 and HTR2A, and schizophrenia-like behaviors in transgenic animals.[205][206] Exactly how these results translate over to further biopsychological understanding of schizophrenia is still widely debated.[207][208] There is some evidence that dysfunction of HTR2A can impact pharmacological interventions.[209]

Several studies have assessed a relationship between 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) 2A receptor (5-HTR2A) gene polymorphisms with an increased risk of suicidal behavior. One study revealed that T102C polymorphism is associated with suicidal behavior [210] but other studies failed to replicate these findings and found no association between polymorphism and suicidal behavior.[211]

Treatment response

Genetics seems also to be associated to some extent with the amount of adverse events in treatment of major depression disorder.[212]

Associations with substance abuse

Polymorphisms in the 5-HT2A receptor coding gene HTR2A (rs6313 and s6311) have been shown to have conflicting associations with alcohol misuse. For example, A polymorphism in the 5-HT2A receptor coding gene HTR2A (rs6313) was reported to predict lower positive alcohol expectancy, higher refusal self-efficacy, and lower alcohol misuse in a sample of 120 young adults. However, this polymorphism did not moderate the linkages between impulsivity, cognition, and alcohol misuse.[213] There are conflicting results as other studies have found associations between T102C polymorphisms alcohol misuse.[214][215]

Drug impact on gene expression

There is some evidence that methylation patterns may contribute to relapse behaviors in people who use stimulants.[216] In mice, psychotropic drugs such as DOI, LSD, DOM, and DOB which produced differing transcriptional patterns among several different brain regions.[206]

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References

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