Serotonergic synapse signaling pathway

The serotonergic synapse signaling pathway consists of the processes centered on serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) neurotransmission. Serotonin is synthesized from tryptophan and released from presynaptic neurons primarily in the raphe nuclei of the brainstem. Post-release, serotonin interacts with a diverse family of G protein-coupled receptors (5-HT1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7) and one ligand-gated ion channel (5-HT3) on target cells. The signal is terminated by reuptake into the presynaptic neuron mediated by the serotonin transporter (SERT), followed by vesicular storage or degradation via monoamine oxidase. The pathway mediates broad functions in mood, sleep, appetite, motor function, and autonomic regulation, and is targeted pharmacologically in the treatment of psychiatric, vascular, and pain disorders. To obtain structured information for a therapeutic target, specify a molecule within this pathway (such as "Serotonin receptor 2A" or "Serotonin transporter (SERT)"). The current entry describes an entire pathway and therefore does not correspond to a discrete drug target.

Other names

Serotonergic pathwayserotonin signaling pathway5-hydroxytryptamine signaling pathway

Reuptake inhibition (SERT blockers), receptor agonism or antagonism (specific 5-HT receptor modulators), monoamine oxidase inhibition