The Serotonin Receptor Subtype 5b Specifically Interacts with Serotonin Receptor Subtype 1A.

Previously, we described the dysregulation of serotonin (5-HT) receptor subtype 5b (5-ht) in a mouse model of Rett syndrome (RTT). 5-ht has not been extensively studied, so we set out to characterize it in more detail. Unlike common cell surface receptors, 5-ht displays no membrane expression, while receptor clusters are located in endosomes. This unusual subcellular localization is at least in part controlled by glycosylation of the N-terminus, with 5-ht possessing fewer glycosylation sites than related receptors. We analyzed whether the localization to endosomes has any functional relevance and found that 5-ht receptors can specifically interact with 5-HT receptors and retain them in endosomal compartments. This interaction reduces 5-HT surface expression and is mediated by interactions between the fourth and fifth trans-membrane domain (TMD). This possibly represents a mechanism by which 5-ht receptors regulate the activity of other 5-HT receptor.