MOLECULAR-CLONING OF A HUMAN GENE (S31) ENCODING A NOVEL SEROTONIN RECEPTOR MEDIATING INHIBITION OF ADENYLYL CYCLASE

We report the molecular cloning of human gene (S31) containing an open reading frame of 1095 nucleotides, which encodes a protein of 365 amino acids. The encoded protein contains seven hydrophobic putative transmembrane domains considered the hallmark of G protein-coupled receptors. The amino acid sequence shows highest homology to receptors for serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine). Expression of this receptor in murine Ltk cells conferred upon these cells the ability to respond to serotonin by inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. No response was observed to isoproterenol, epinephrine, histamine, dopamine or melatonin in the transfected cells. We propose that the human gene S31 encodes a novel serotonin receptor.