serotonin; 5-hydroxytryptamine

Function

• biogenic hormone derived from tryptophan.
• functions as a neurotransmitter, a hormone, & a mitogen
• serotonin within the pineal gland is used for synthesis of melatonin.
• serotonin inhibits response of the suprachiasmatic nucleus to light
• metabolism of serotonin is primarily by MAO-A, but MAO-B may play a minor role when serotonin is present in high concentrations

Expression

• serotoninergic neurons are found in the raphe nuclei & contain different cotransmitters
• platelets & mast cells contain serotonin

Pathology

• serotonin appears to be involved in regulation of anxiety & impulsive behavior

Pharmacology

• inhibition of re-uptake is a major strategy for treatment of depression, anxiety & obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are used as antidepressants

Physiology

• serotonin may play a role in dreaming

More general terms

• tryptamine
• 5-hydroxyindole
• neurotransmitter
• vasoconstrictor

More specific terms

• N'acetyl-serotonin
• N'methyl-serotonin

Additional terms

• 5-OH indoleacetic acid
• indole metabolism
• Na+-dependent serotonin transporter; 5HT transporter; 5HTT; solute carrier family 6 member 4 (SLC6A4, HTT, SERT)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
• serotonin [5HT] receptor

Database

• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=5202