Vasopressin indirectly excites dorsal raphe serotonin neurons through activation of the vasopressin1A receptor. 2014

B D Rood, and S G Beck
Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States. Electronic address: roodb@email.chop.edu.

The neuropeptide vasopressin (AVP; arginine-vasopressin) is produced in a handful of brain nuclei located in the hypothalamus and extended amygdala and is released both peripherally as a hormone and within the central nervous system as a neurotransmitter. Central projections have been associated with a number of functions including regulation of physiological homeostasis, control of circadian rhythms, and modulation of social behavior. The AVP neurons located in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and medial amygdala (i.e., extended amygdala) in particular have been associated with affiliative social behavior in multiple species. It was recently demonstrated that in the mouse AVP projections emanating from extended amygdala neurons innervate a number of forebrain and midbrain brain regions including the dorsal raphe nucleus (DR), the site of origin of most forebrain-projecting serotonin neurons. Based on the presence of AVP fibers in the DR, we hypothesized that AVP would alter the physiology of serotonin neurons via AVP 1A receptor (V1AR) activation. Using whole-cell electrophysiology techniques, we found that AVP increased the frequency and amplitude of excitatory post-synaptic currents (EPSCs) in serotonin neurons of male mice. The indirect stimulation of serotonin neurons was AMPA/kainate receptor dependent and blocked by the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin, suggesting an effect of AVP on glutamate neurons. Further, the increase in EPSC frequency induced by AVP was blocked by selective V1AR antagonists. Our data suggest that AVP had an excitatory influence on serotonin neurons. This work highlights a new target (i.e., V1AR) for manipulating serotonin neuron excitability. In light of our data, we propose that some of the diverse effects of AVP on physiology and behavior, including social behavior, may be due to activation of the DR serotonin system.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008822 Mice, Transgenic Laboratory mice that have been produced from a genetically manipulated EGG or EMBRYO, MAMMALIAN. Transgenic Mice,Founder Mice, Transgenic,Mouse, Founder, Transgenic,Mouse, Transgenic,Mice, Transgenic Founder,Transgenic Founder Mice,Transgenic Mouse
D011903 Raphe Nuclei Collections of small neurons centrally scattered among many fibers from the level of the TROCHLEAR NUCLEUS in the midbrain to the hypoglossal area in the MEDULLA OBLONGATA. Caudal Linear Nucleus of the Raphe,Interfascicular Nucleus,Nucleus Incertus,Rostral Linear Nucleus of Raphe,Rostral Linear Nucleus of the Raphe,Superior Central Nucleus,Central Nucleus, Superior,Incertus, Nucleus,Nuclei, Raphe,Nucleus, Interfascicular,Nucleus, Raphe,Nucleus, Superior Central,Raphe Nucleus
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001127 Arginine Vasopressin The predominant form of mammalian antidiuretic hormone. It is a nonapeptide containing an ARGININE at residue 8 and two disulfide-linked cysteines at residues of 1 and 6. Arg-vasopressin is used to treat DIABETES INSIPIDUS or to improve vasomotor tone and BLOOD PRESSURE. Argipressin,Vasopressin, Arginine,Arg-Vasopressin,Argipressin Tannate,Arg Vasopressin
D017483 Receptors, Vasopressin Specific molecular sites or proteins on or in cells to which VASOPRESSINS bind or interact in order to modify the function of the cells. Two types of vasopressin receptor exist, the V1 receptor in the vascular smooth muscle and the V2 receptor in the kidneys. The V1 receptor can be subdivided into V1a and V1b (formerly V3) receptors. Antidiuretic Hormone Receptors,Receptors, V1,Receptors, V2,V1 Receptors,V2 Receptors,Vasopressin Receptors,8-Arg-Vasopressin Receptor,Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor,Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor 1a,Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor 1b,Arginine Vasopressin Receptor,Argipressin Receptor,Argipressin Receptors,Receptor, Arginine(8)-Vasopressin,Renal-Type Arginine Vasopressin Receptor,V1 Receptor,V1a Vasopressin Receptor,V1b Vasopressin Receptor,V2 Receptor,Vascular-Hepatic Type Arginine Vasopressin Receptor,Vasopressin Receptor,Vasopressin Receptor 1,Vasopressin Type 1A Receptor,Vasopressin V1a Receptor,Vasopressin V1b Receptor,Vasopressin V2 Receptor,Vasopressin V3 Receptor,8 Arg Vasopressin Receptor,Hormone Receptor, Antidiuretic,Hormone Receptors, Antidiuretic,Receptor, Antidiuretic Hormone,Receptor, Arginine Vasopressin,Receptor, Argipressin,Receptor, V1,Receptor, V2,Receptor, Vasopressin,Receptor, Vasopressin V1b,Receptor, Vasopressin V3,Receptors, Antidiuretic Hormone,Receptors, Argipressin,Renal Type Arginine Vasopressin Receptor,V1b Receptor, Vasopressin,Vascular Hepatic Type Arginine Vasopressin Receptor,Vasopressin Receptor, V1b
D051379 Mice The common name for the genus Mus. Mice, House,Mus,Mus musculus,Mice, Laboratory,Mouse,Mouse, House,Mouse, Laboratory,Mouse, Swiss,Mus domesticus,Mus musculus domesticus,Swiss Mice,House Mice,House Mouse,Laboratory Mice,Laboratory Mouse,Mice, Swiss,Swiss Mouse,domesticus, Mus musculus
D055366 Synaptic Potentials The voltages across pre- or post-SYNAPTIC MEMBRANES. Postsynaptic Current,Postsynaptic Potentials,Synaptic Potential,Current, Postsynaptic,Currents, Postsynaptic,Postsynaptic Currents,Postsynaptic Potential,Potential, Postsynaptic,Potential, Synaptic,Potentials, Postsynaptic
D059326 Serotonergic Neurons Neurons whose primary neurotransmitter is SEROTONIN. Serotoninergic Neurons,Neuron, Serotonergic,Neuron, Serotoninergic,Neurons, Serotonergic,Neurons, Serotoninergic,Serotonergic Neuron,Serotoninergic Neuron
D066298 In Vitro Techniques Methods to study reactions or processes taking place in an artificial environment outside the living organism. In Vitro Test,In Vitro Testing,In Vitro Tests,In Vitro as Topic,In Vitro,In Vitro Technique,In Vitro Testings,Technique, In Vitro,Techniques, In Vitro,Test, In Vitro,Testing, In Vitro,Testings, In Vitro,Tests, In Vitro,Vitro Testing, In

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