Pharmacological evidence for transactivation within melatonin MT2 and serotonin 5-HT2C receptor heteromers in mouse brain

Association of G protein-coupled receptors into heterodimeric complexes has been reported for over 50 receptor pairs in vitro but functional in vivo validation remains a challenge. Our recent in vitro studies defined the functional fingerprint of heteromers composed of G(i)-coupled melatonin MT2 receptors and G(q)-coupled serotonin 5-HT2C receptors, in which melatonin transactivates phospholipase C (PLC) through 5-HT2C. Here, we identified this functional fingerprint in the mouse brain. G(q) protein activation was probed by [S-35]GTP gamma S incorporation followed by G(q) immunoprecipitation, and PLC activation by determining the inositol phosphate levels in brain lysates of animals previously treated with melatonin. Melatonin concentration-dependently activated G(q) proteins and PLC in the hypothalamus and cerebellum but not in cortex. These effects were inhibited by the 5-HT2C receptor-specific inverse agonist SB-243213, and were absent in MT2 and 5-HT2C knockout mice, fully recapitulating previous in vitro data and indicating the involvement of MT2/5-HT2C heteromers. The antidepressant agomelatine had a similar effect than melatonin when applied alone but blocked the melatonin-promoted G(q) activation due to its 5-HT2C antagonistic component. Collectively, we provide strong functional evidence for the existence of MT2/5-HT2C heteromeric complexes in mouse brain. These heteromers might participate in the in vivo effects of agomelatine.

Automated summary

Functional fingerprint of heteromers composed of G(i)-coupled melatonin MT2 receptors and G(q)-coupled serotonin 5-HT2C receptors was identified in mouse brain, with melatonin activating G(q) proteins and PLC in a concentration-dependent manner in the hypothalamus and cerebellum. These effects were absent in cortex, inhibited by the 5-HT2C receptor-specific inverse agonist SB-243213, and were fully recapitulated in MT2 and 5-HT2C knockout mice. Furthermore, antidepressant agomelatine had similar effects to melatonin but blocked melatonin-promoted G(q) activation due to its 5-HT2C antagonistic component, providing strong functional evidence for the existence of MT2/5-HT2C heteromeric complexes.