5-HT₇-like receptors mediate serotonergic modulation of photo-responsiveness of the medulla bilateral neurons in the cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus

Serotonin (5-HT) suppresses the photo-responsiveness of medulla bilateral neurons (MBNs) that are involved in the coupling mechanism of the bilaterally paired optic lobe circadian pacemakers in the cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus. We found that forskolin, a highly specific activator of adenylate cyclase, mimicked the effects of serotonin on the MBNs. This fact suggests the involvement of cyclic 3′, 5′-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in mediating the action of serotonin. We therefore tested the effects of various 5-HT receptor agonists and antagonists that are coupled to adenylate cyclase to specify the receptor involved. Application of 8-OH-DPAT that has affinity for both 5-HT_1A and 5-HT₇ receptors suppressed the photo-responsiveness, like forskolin. The inhibitory effect of 8-OH-DPAT was effectively blocked by clozapine, a high affinity 5-HT₇ receptor antagonists with a very low affinity for 5-HT₂. Ketanserin, a selective 5-HT₂ antagonist, and NAN-190, a 5-HT_1A antagonist, did not block it. These results suggest that serotonergic suppression of the photo-responsiveness of the MBNs is mediated by 5-HT₇-like receptor subtypes.