RGD Reference Report - Serotonin 5-HT2A and 5-HT5A receptors are expressed by different motoneuron populations in rat Onuf's nucleus. - Rat Genome Database

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Serotonin 5-HT2A and 5-HT5A receptors are expressed by different motoneuron populations in rat Onuf's nucleus.

Authors: Xu, C  Giuliano, F  Sun, XQ  Brisorgueil, MJ  Leclerc, P  Verge, D  Conrath, M 
Citation: Xu C, etal., J Comp Neurol. 2007 Jun 1;502(4):620-34.
RGD ID: 2316992
Pubmed: PMID:17394137   (View Abstract at PubMed)
DOI: DOI:10.1002/cne.21344   (Journal Full-text)

Motoneurons of Onuf's nucleus innervate the pelvic striated muscles, which play a crucial role in erection, ejaculation, and urinary continence. Serotonergic descending projections from the brain are involved in the modulation of Onuf's motoneuron activity. However, conflicting results regarding the effects of spinal serotonin (5-HT) on pelvi-perineal functions have been reported. They may be partly accounted for by the multiplicity of neuronal targets and receptor subtypes on which 5-HT is acting. In order to provide comparative data regarding 5-HT receptor expression in various groups of Onuf's motoneurons, we used retrograde tracing techniques from different pelvic muscles combined with immunocytochemistry of 5-HT2A and 5-HT5A receptors in male and female rats. In males, 5-HT2A receptor immunolabeling was very dense in motoneurons innervating the ischiocavernosus muscle. By contrast, in female rats, 5-HT2A receptor expression in Onuf's nucleus was very weak. In both genders, 5-HT5A receptor immunoreactivity was found in motoneurons innervating the external urethral sphincter. In males, a moderate or low 5-HT5A immunolabeling was observed in motoneurons innervating the bulbospongiosus and ischiocavernosus muscles, respectively. These data show a preferential localization of 5-HT2A and 5-HT5A receptors to motoneurons controlling the striated muscles located at the penile crus and sphincter muscles, respectively, suggesting a specific serotoninergic control on different pelvic functions. In addition, the subcellular distribution of receptors suggests a different mode of action of 5-HT, paracrine at 5-HT2A receptors and synaptic at 5-HT5A receptors. This might have implications for pharmacological research targeting different pelvic functions e.g., micturition and ejaculation.

Gene Ontology Annotations    Click to see Annotation Detail View

Cellular Component
TermQualifierEvidenceWithReferenceNotesSourceOriginal Reference(s)
dendrite  IDA 2316992 RGD 

Objects Annotated

Genes (Rattus norvegicus)
Htr5a  (5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 5A)

Objects referenced in this article
Gene Htr2a 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A Rattus norvegicus

Additional Information