Serotonin regulates hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor expression via a 5-HT7 receptor

Glucocorticoid receptor expression in primary hippocampal cell cultures was significantly increased with either 10 mM 8-bromo cAMP, 50 nM 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT), a potent 5-HT7 receptor agonist, or 100 nM 5-HT. The effect of 5-HT or 5-CT was blocked with methiothepin or by a protein kinase A inhibitor, but not pindolol. These results suggest that the effects of 5-HT on hippocampal GR expression is mediated by a 5-HT7 receptor. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.