Neuronal ablation of p-Akt at Ser473 leads to altered 5-HT1A/2A receptor function

Christine Saunders, Michael Siuta, Sabrina D. Robertson, Adeola R. Davis, Jennifer Sauer, Heinrich J.G. Matthies, Paul J. Gresch, David C. Airey, Craig W. Lindsley, John A. Schetz, Kevin D. Niswender, Jeremy M. Veenstra-Vanderweele, Aurelio Galli

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

The serotonergic system regulates a wide range of behavior, including mood and impulsivity, and its dysregulation has been associated with mood disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and addiction. Diabetes is a risk factor for these conditions. Insulin resistance in the brain is specifically associated with susceptibility to psychostimulant abuse. Here, we examined whether phosphorylation of Akt, a key regulator of the insulin signaling pathway, controls serotonin (5-HT) signaling. To explore how impairment in Akt function regulates 5-HT homeostasis, we used a brain-specific rictor knockout (KO) mouse model of impaired neuronal phosphorylation of Akt at Ser473. Cortical 5-HT 1A and 5-HT2A receptor binding was significantly elevated in rictor KO mice. Concomitant with this elevated receptor expression, the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) led to an increased hypothermic response in rictor KO mice. The increased cortical 5-HT1A receptor density was associated with higher 5-HT1A receptor levels on the cortical cell surface. In contrast, rictor KO mice displayed significantly reduced head-twitch response (HTR) to the 5-HT2A/C agonist 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI), with evidence of impaired 5-HT2A/C receptor signaling. In vitro, pharmacological inhibition of Akt significantly increased 5-HT1A receptor expression and attenuated DOI-induced 5-HT2A receptor signaling, thereby lending credence to the observed in vivo cross-talk between neuronal Akt signaling and 5-HT receptor regulation. These data reveal that defective central Akt function alters 5-HT signaling as well as 5-HT-associated behaviors, demonstrating a novel role for Akt in maintaining neuronal 5-HT receptor function.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)113-121
Number of pages9
JournalNeurochemistry International
Volume73
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2014

Keywords

  • Akt
  • Cortex
  • Serotonin

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Neuronal ablation of p-Akt at Ser473 leads to altered 5-HT1A/2A receptor function'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this