[1][2][3] This ion channel is cation-selective and mediates neuronal depolarization and excitation within the central and peripheral nervous systems.Binding of the neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) to the 5-HT3 receptor opens the channel, which, in turn, leads to an excitatory response in neurons.The 5-HT3C, 5-HT3D and 5-HT3E genes tend to show peripherally restricted pattern of expression, with high levels in the gut.The 5-HT3 receptor is expressed throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems and mediates a variety of physiological functions.[14] On a cellular level, it has been shown that postsynaptic 5-HT3 receptors mediate fast excitatory synaptic transmission in rat neocortical interneurons, amygdala, and hippocampus, and in ferret visual cortex.
Figure 2. Structure of the mouse 5HT3 receptor gene
, showing its 9 exons (E1-E9), corresponding to the exons shown in the cDNA below. The 5' ends of exons 2, 6, and 9 have alternative splice sites. Figure drawn to scale. Modified after Uetz et al. 1994.
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Figure 3. The cDNA sequence of the mouse 5HT3 receptor
. The cDNA encodes a 122 nucleotide 5' UTR and a ~510 nucleotide 3' UTR. Boxes indicate exons and the numbers below the exons indicate their length. For instance, the first exon encodes 22 amino acids plus one nucleotide belonging to a split codon with another 2 nucleotides encoded by the next exon. M1-4 indicate the transmembrane helices and C-C indicates the Cysteine loop. Modified after Uetz et al. 1994
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