| Primary Identifier | IPR001069 | Type | Family |
| Short Name | 5HT_7_rcpt |
| description | 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) or serotonin, is a neurotransmitter that it is primarily found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, platelets, and in the central nervous system (CNS). It is implicated in a vast array of physiological and pathophysiological pathways. Receptors for 5-HT mediate both excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, and modulate the release of many neurotransmitters including glutamate, GABA, dopamine, epinephrine/norepinephrine, and acetylcholine, as well as many hormones, including oxytocin, prolactin, vasopressin and cortisol. In the CNS, 5-HT receptors can influence various neurological processes, such as aggression, anxiety and appetite and, as a, result are the target of a variety of pharmaceutical drugs, including many antidepressants, antipsychotics and anorectics []. The 5-HT receptors are grouped into a number of distinct subtypes, classified according to their antagonist susceptibilities and their affinities for 5-HT. With the exception of the 5-HT3 receptor, which is a ligand-gated ion channel [], all 5-HT receptors are members of the rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptor family [], and they activate an intracellular second messenger cascade to produce their responses. The 5-HT7 receptor has been shown to positively modulate cAMP formation [, , ]and activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase, ERK, in primary neuronal cultures []. The receptor is expressed in a variety of human tissues, particularly in the brain, the gastrointestinal tract, and in various blood vessels []. It has an extensive vascular distribution []and is responsible for the prominent, persistent vasodilator response to 5-HT7 in anaesthetised animals []. 5-HT7 receptors are involved in thermoregulation [, ]circadian rhythm [], learning and memory, and sleep []. This receptor has been a drug development target for the treatment of several clinical disorders []. Atypical antipsychotics, e.g. clozapine, risperidone and antidepressants, have high affinity for the 5-HT7 receptor []and it has been speculated that the 5-HT7 receptor may be involved in mood regulation, suggesting that it may be a useful target in the treatment of depression []. |
