Identification of mRNA for 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptor subtypes in human coronary arteries

Objective: Although pharmacological studies have indicated that serotonin (5-HT)-evoked contraction of the human coronary artery is mediated by 5-HT1-like and 5-HT2 receptors, the gene expression of 5-HT receptors is still unclear. We examined mRNA expression of 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptor subtypes in human coronary arteries. Methods: Total RNA was extracted from human coronary arteries of 14 patients at autopsy by the guanidine method. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and ribonuclease protection assays were performed to identify 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptor mRNA expression in human coronary artery. Results: By RT-PCR, 5-HT1B, 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B mRNAs were detected in all of the 14 patients. 5-HT1A, 5-HT1D, and 5-HT1E mRNAs were detected in only some patients. However, neither 5-HT1F, mRNA nor 5-HT2C mRNA was detected in any patient. By ribonuclease protection assay, 5-HT1B and 5-HT2A signals were detected in all patients examined, but neither 5-HT1A, 5-HT1D nor 5-HT2B signal was detected in any patient. Conclusions: Of 5-HT1/2 receptor subtypes, 5-HT1B and 5-HT2A receptor mRNAs were predominantly expressed in human coronary arteries. Our finding provides molecular evidence that the 5-HT1B receptor may be the 5-HT1-like receptor which mediates constriction of human coronary arteries. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.