Kullyev, Audrey and Dempsey, Catherine M. and Miller, Sarah and Kuan, Chih-Jen and Hapiak, Vera M. and Komuniecki, Richard W. and Griffin, Christine and Sze, Ji Ying (2010) A Genetic Survey of Fluoxetine Action on Synaptic Transmission in Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics, 186 (3). pp. 929-941. ISSN 0016-6731

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Abstract

Fluoxetine is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for many behavioral and neurological disorders. Fluoxetine acts primarily as an inhibitor of the serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT) to block the removal of serotonin from the synaptic cleft, thereby enhancing serotonin signals. While the effects of fluoxetine on behavior are firmly established, debate is ongoing whether inhibition of serotonin reuptake is a sufficient explanation for its therapeutic action. Here, we provide evidence of two additional aspects of fluoxetine action through genetic analyses in Caenorhabditis elegans. We show that fluoxetine treatment and null mutation in the sole SERT gene mod-5 eliminate serotonin in specific neurons. These neurons do not synthesize serotonin but import extracellular serotonin via MOD-5/SERT. Furthermore, we show that fluoxetine acts independently of MOD-5/SERT to regulate discrete properties of acetylcholine (Ach), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glutamate neurotransmission in the locomotory circuit. We identified that two G-protein–coupled 5-HT receptors, SER-7 and SER-5, antagonistically regulate the effects of fluoxetine and that fluoxetine binds to SER-7. Epistatic analyses suggest that SER-7 and SER-5 act upstream of AMPA receptor GLR-1 signaling. Our work provides genetic evidence that fluoxetine may influence neuronal functions and behavior by directly targeting serotonin receptors.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Genetic Survey; Fluoxetine Action; Synaptic Transmission; Caenorhabditis elegans;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > Biology
Item ID:	4160
Depositing User:	Dr. Christine Griffin
Date Deposited:	31 Jan 2013 11:42
Journal or Publication Title:	Genetics
Publisher:	Genetics Society of America
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	Publisher
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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