Serotonin Receptor 5-HT2A Regulates TrkB Receptor Function in Heteroreceptor Complexes

Serotonin receptor 5-HT2A and tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) strongly contribute to neuroplasticity regulation and are implicated in numerous neuronal disorders. Here, we demonstrate a physical interaction between 5-HT2A and TrkB in vitro and in vivo using co-immunoprecipitation and biophysical and biochemical approaches. Heterodimerization decreased TrkB autophosphorylation, preventing its activation with agonist 7,8-DHF, even with low 5-HT2A receptor expression. A blockade of 5-HT2A receptor with the preferential antagonist ketanserin prevented the receptor-mediated downregulation of TrkB phosphorylation without restoring the TrkB response to its agonist 7,8-DHF in vitro. In adult mice, intraperitoneal ketanserin injection increased basal TrkB phosphorylation in the frontal cortex and hippocampus, which is in accordance with our findings demonstrating the prevalence of 5-HT2A–TrkB heteroreceptor complexes in these brain regions. An expression analysis revealed strong developmental regulation of 5-HT2A and TrkB expressions in the cortex, hippocampus, and especially the striatum, demonstrating that the balance between TrkB and 5-HT2A may shift in certain brain regions during postnatal development. Our data reveal the functional role of 5-HT2A–TrkB receptor heterodimerization and suggest that the regulated expression of 5-HT2A and TrkB is a molecular mechanism for the brain-region-specific modulation of TrkB functions during development and under pathophysiological conditions.