Stimulation of serotonin transport by the cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor sildenafil

Eur J Pharmacol. 2004 Nov 3;504(1-2):1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2004.09.023.

Abstract

The serotonin (5-hydroxtryptamine, 5-HT) transporter (SERT) plays a critical role in the inactivation of synaptic 5-HT and has been implicated in multiple psychiatric and peripheral disorders. SERT regulation studies demonstrate that activation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)/protein kinase G (PKG)-linked pathways can increase SERT activity. As cGMP actions are limited by cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDEs), we investigated whether the cGMP-specific PDE5 inhibitor sildenafil (Viagra) can stimulate 5-HT uptake and potentiate cGMP-mediated regulation. In RBL-2H3 cells, SERT activity was stimulated by sildenafil in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Sildenafil also enhanced the stimulation of SERT triggered by the adenosine receptor agonist 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA), effects blocked by the PKG inhibitor N-[2-(methylamino)ethy]-5-isoquinoline-sulfonamide (H8). Sildenafil stimulation of 5-HT uptake arises from an increase in 5-HT transport Vmax and is paralleled by elevated SERT surface antagonist binding, also H8-sensitive. These findings implicate cGMP-targeted PDEs in limiting the regulation of antidepressant-sensitive 5-HT transport.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases / metabolism
  • Animals
  • CHO Cells
  • Cricetinae
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Piperazines / pharmacology*
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Protein Binding / physiology
  • Purines
  • Rats
  • Serotonin / metabolism*
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Sildenafil Citrate
  • Sulfones

Substances

  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
  • Piperazines
  • Purines
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Slc6a4 protein, rat
  • Sulfones
  • Serotonin
  • Sildenafil Citrate
  • 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5
  • Pde5a protein, rat