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. 1974 May;51(1):21–27. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1974.tb09627.x

The action of 5-hydroxytryptamine and related compounds on the activity of retzius cells of the leech Hirudo medicinalis

PA Smith, RJ Walker
PMCID: PMC1776791  PMID: 4441793

Abstract

1 The equipotent molar ratios of a range of tryptamine analogues, as compared with 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), have been determined on the basis of their ability to hyperpolarize the membrane potential of the Retzius cell of the leech, Hirudo medicinalis.

2 The substitution of methyl, fluoro, chloro, methoxy or acetyl groups onto the 5-HT molecule progressively reduced the potency.

3 5-Methoxylation or terminal N-methylation of tryptamine considerably increased the potency of tryptamine but these compounds tended to depolarize cells rather than cause hyperpolarization. In some experiments they were ineffective on preparations pretreated with 5-HT.

4 It is suggested that these compounds may act by a different mechanism from the 5-hydroxylated indoles, perhaps involving a different receptor.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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