Distinct Temporal Expression of 5-HT^sub 1A^ and 5-HT^sub 2A^ Receptors on Cerebellar Granule Cells in Mice

• Published in: Cerebellum (London, England) England), 2014-08, Vol.13 (4), p.491
• Main Authors: Oostland, Marlies, Buijink, M Renate, Teunisse, Guus M, von Oerthel, Lars, Smidt, Marten P, van Hooft, Johannes A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1473-4222; 1473-4230
• DOI: 10.1007/s12311-014-0565-4

Serotonin plays an important role of controlling the physiology of the cerebellum. However, serotonin receptor expression has not been fully studied in the developing cerebellum. We have recently shown that cerebellar granule cells transiently express 5-HT^sub 3^ receptors. In the present study, we investigate expression of 5-HT^sub 1^ and 5-HT^sub 2^ receptors in the mouse cerebellum both during postnatal development and in juvenile mice. Here, we show for the first time that 5-HT^sub 1A^ and 5-HT^sub 2A^ receptors are present on cerebellar granule cells with a distinct temporal expression pattern: 5-HT^sub 1A^ receptors are expressed only during the first 2 weeks, while 5-HT^sub 2A^ receptor expression persists until at least 8 weeks after birth. Because of its prolonged expression pattern, we investigated the electrophysiological properties of the 5-HT^sub 2A^ receptor. 5-HT^sub 2A^ receptors expressed by cerebellar granule cells promote stability by reducing variability of the synaptic response, and they modulate the paired-pulse ratio of the parallel fibre-Purkinje cell synapse. Furthermore, pharmacological block of 5-HT^sub 2A^ receptors enhances short-term synaptic plasticity at the parallel fibre-Purkinje cell synapse. We thus show a novel role for serotonin in controlling function of the cerebellum via 5-HT^sub 2A^ receptors expressed by cerebellar granule cells.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]