Phosphorylation and sequestration of serotonin transporters differentially modulated by psychostimulants

S Ramamoorthy, RD Blakely - Science, 1999 - science.org
Science, 1999science.org
Many psychotropic drugs interfere with the reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and
serotonin. Transport capacity is regulated by kinase-linked pathways, particularly those
involving protein kinase C (PKC), resulting in transporter phosphorylation and sequestration.
Phosphorylation and sequestration of the serotonin transporter (SERT) were substantially
impacted by ligand occupancy. Ligands that can permeate the transporter, such as serotonin
or the amphetamines, prevented PKC-dependent SERT phosphorylation. Nontransported …
Many psychotropic drugs interfere with the reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Transport capacity is regulated by kinase-linked pathways, particularly those involving protein kinase C (PKC), resulting in transporter phosphorylation and sequestration. Phosphorylation and sequestration of the serotonin transporter (SERT) were substantially impacted by ligand occupancy. Ligands that can permeate the transporter, such as serotonin or the amphetamines, prevented PKC-dependent SERT phosphorylation. Nontransported SERT antagonists such as cocaine and antidepressants were permissive for SERT phosphorylation but blocked serotonin effects. PKC-dependent SERT sequestration was also blocked by serotonin. These findings reveal activity-dependent modulation of neurotransmitter reuptake and identify previously unknown consequences of amphetamine, cocaine, and antidepressant action.
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