An innovative real-time PCR method to measure changes in RNA editing of the serotonin 2C receptor (5-HT(2C)R) in brain.

ABSTRACT: The serotonin 2C receptor (5-HT(2C)R) plays a significant role in psychiatric disorders (e.g., depression) and is a target for pharmacotherapy. The 5-HT(2C)R is widely expressed in brain and spinal cord and is the only G-protein coupled receptor currently known to undergo mRNA editing, a post-transcriptional modification that results in translation of distinct, though closely related, protein isoforms. The 5-HT(2C)R RNA can be edited at five sites to alter up to three amino acids resulting in modulation of receptor:G-protein coupling and constitutive activity. To rapidly quantify changes ex vivo in individual 5-HT(2C)R isoform levels in response to treatment, we adapted quantitative (real-time) reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) utilizing TaqMan probes modified with

SUBMITTER: Lanfranco MF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3794365 | biostudies-literature | 2009 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature