ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the expression of 5-HT receptor 14 subtype mRNAs in the rat retina. Methods RT-PCR technique was used. Specific oligonucleotide primers were synthesized based on the complementary DNA sequence for each of the 14 cloned rat 5-HT receptor subtypes. Expression of 5-HT 1A、5-HT 2A、5-HT 2C、5-HT 3 and 5-HT 7 receptor subtype mRNAs were detected. Results Positive band densities of various 5-HT receptor subtypes were different in retina. The most bands were formed by 5-HT 7 and 5-HT 2A receptor subtypes, the secondary prominent bands were formed by 5-HT 2C and 5-HT 3 receptor subtypes. PCR products from each positively-detected receptor subtype were subcloned into pCRⅡ vector for sequencing and found in correspond to published complementary DNA sequences. No positive bands existed of 5-HT 1B, 5-HT 1D, 5-HT 1E, 5-HT 1F, 5-HT 2B, 5-HT 4, 5-HT 5A, 5-HT 5Band 5-HT 6receptor subtypes. Conclusions There may exist varieties of 5-HT receptor in rat retina, including 5-HT 1A, 5-HT 2A, 5-HT 2C, 5-HT 3 and 5-HT 7 receptor subtypes. It means the retina serotoninergic system may be a common feature in mammals and, by the light of the 5-HT receptor subtypes, play an important role in mediating the transmission of rod sensitive signals.