5-HT4 receptor
5-HT4 receptor
The 5-HT4 receptor (pronounced as "five H T four receptor") is a type of serotonin receptor, or 5-HT receptor, that binds serotonin, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT).
Etymology
The term "5-HT4 receptor" is derived from the chemical name for serotonin, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and the number 4 denotes the specific subtype of serotonin receptor.
Function
The 5-HT4 receptor is located in the gastrointestinal tract, heart, and brain. It plays a role in learning and memory in the brain, and it affects the rate of food transit in the gastrointestinal tract. In the heart, it can influence the rate of heart contractions.
Related Terms
- Serotonin: A neurotransmitter that is involved in the transmission of nerve impulses. Serotonin can affect mood, appetite, sleep, memory and learning, temperature regulation, and some social behavior.
- Neurotransmitter: Chemicals that transmit signals from a neuron to a target cell across a synapse.
- Gastrointestinal tract: The stomach and intestine in the digestive system.
- Synapse: The structure that permits a neuron to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another neuron or to the target effector cell.
Pharmacology
Drugs that activate the 5-HT4 receptor are called 5-HT4 receptor agonists, and they can be used to treat conditions like gastrointestinal disorders, Alzheimer's disease, and depression. Conversely, drugs that block the 5-HT4 receptor, known as 5-HT4 receptor antagonists, can be used to treat conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on 5-HT4 receptor
- Wikipedia's article - 5-HT4 receptor
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