Diurnal rhythms of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptor binding in euthermic and torpor prone deermice, Peromyscus maniculatus

Regulation of monoamine receptors in the brain: dynamic changes during stress

Monoamine receptors are membrane-bound receptors that are coupled to G-proteins. Upon stimulation by agonists, they initiate a cascade of intracellular events that guide biochemical reactions of the cell. In the central nervous system, they undergo diverse regulatory processes, among which are receptor desensitization, internalization into the cell, and downregulation. These processes vary among different types of monoamine receptors. alpha 2-Adrenoceptors are often downregulated by agonists, and beta-adrenoceptors are internalized rapidly. Others, such as serotonin1A-receptors, are controlled tightly by steroid hormones. Expression of these receptors is reduced by the "stress hormones" glucocorticoids, whereas gonadal hormones such as testosterone can counterbalance the glucocorticoid effects. Because of this, the pattern of monoamine receptors in certain brain regions undergoes dynamic changes when there are elevated concentrations of agonists or when the hormonal milieu changes. Stress is a physiological situation accompanied by the high activity of brain monoaminergic systems and dramatic changes in peripheral hormones. Resulting alterations in monoamine receptors are considered to be in part responsible for changes in the behavior of an individual.

Immunohistochemical demonstration of serotonin-containing axons in the hypothalamus of the white-footed mouse, Peromyscus leucopus

The wild white-footed mouse, Peromyscus leucopus, is commonly used for photoperiod studies utilizing physiological, behavioral, and other biological measures indicative of hypothalamic functions. Indoleamines, like melatonin and serotonin, are implicated in regulating these hypothalamic functions. Although neurochemical analyses of hypothalamic serotonin and its receptors have been reported for this species, the relevant neuroanatomy of the serotonin system within mouse hypothalamus has not been studied. A sensitive immunohistochemical method was used to detect serotonin within axons of coronal sections of formaldehyde fixed forebrain from P. leucopus. Large, medium and small diameter serotonin axons were evaluated in most regions, or nuclei, of the hypothalamus rostral to the mammillary region. A fourth type of serotonin axon was observed to have morphology characteristic of terminal arbors. The density of serotonin axons ranged from no staining to very high density similar to other species for which reports exist, i.e., rat, cat, and monkey. The ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus had distinctively lesser density of serotonin axons in this mouse than other species. Evidence of terminal arborization in hypothalamic nuclei and regions was evident. Neuroendocrine, autonomic, and behavioral functions of the hypothalamus are suggested to be regulated by input from serotonin terminals in this wild species of mouse, in correlation with receptor localization as reported by others.