PARTIAL CDNA CLONING AND NGF REGULATION OF A RAT 5-HT(3) RECEPTOR SUBUNIT

NERVE growth factor (NGF) stimulates 5-HT, receptor expression althoug h the mechanism(s) responsible for this effect are unknown. We report the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of a nearly complete r at 5-HT, receptor subunit and use the sequence to develop a reverse tr anscription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay that measures 5-H T, mRNA. Exposure of PC12 cells to NGF results in increasing steady-st ate levels of 5-HT, mRNA. The four-fold increase in mRNA correlates wi th and is sufficient to account for increases in receptor measured by agonist induction of whole cell currents.