The novel cellular mechanism of human 5-HT6 receptor through an interaction with Fyn

The human 5-HT6 receptor (5-HT6R) is one of the latest cloned receptors among the known 5-HT receptors. Its abundant distribution in the limbic region, which participates in the control of mood and emotion and is involved in nervous system diseases such as depression and Alzheimer disease, has caused it to generate much interest. However, the cellular mechanisms of 5-HT6R are poorly understood. In the present study we found, using a yeast two-hybrid assay, that the carboxyl-terminal region of 5-HT6R interacts with the Fyn-tyrosine kinase. We also determined using a glutathione S-transferase pulldown assay that this interaction was mediated through the SH3 domain of Fyn and confirmed this by co-immunoprecipitation assays in two different transfected cell lines as well as in adult rat brains. Immunocyto(histo)chemistry also showed prominent co-localization between 5-HT6R and Fyn in transfected cells and a similar distribution between 5-HT6R and Fyn in the rat brain. Based on this interaction, we further examined the modulation of 5-HT6R by Fyn and vice versa. In addition, we demonstrated that the activation of 5-HT6R activated the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 via an Fyn-dependent pathway. These findings suggest that Fyn may play an important role in 5-HT(6)Rmediated signaling pathways in the central nervous system.