Serotonin-mediated modulation of Na +/K +pump current in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) can modulate Na +/K +pump in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons.Results: 5-HT (0.1, 1 mM) showed Na +/K +pump current (Ip) densities of 0.40 ± 0.04, 0.34 ± 0.03 pA/pF contrast to 0.63 ± 0.04 pA/pF of the control of 0.5 mM strophanthidin (Str), demonstrating 5-HT-induced inhibition of Ip in a dose-dependent manner in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. The effect was partly attenuated by ondasetron, a 5-HT 3receptor (5-HT 3R) antagonist, not by WAY100635, a 5-HT 1AR antagonist, while 1-(3-Chlorophenyl) biguanide hydrochloride (m-CPBG), a 5-HT 3R specific agonist, mimicked the effect of 5-HT on Ip.Conclusion: 5-HT inhibits neuronal Na +/K +pump activity via 5-HT 3R in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. This discloses novel mechanisms for the function of 5-HT in learning and memory, which may be a useful target to benefit these patients with cognitive disorder. © 2012 Zhang et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.