RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Ethanol potentiation of 5-hydroxytryptamine3 receptor-mediated ion current in neuroblastoma cells and isolated adult mammalian neurons. JF Molecular Pharmacology JO Mol Pharmacol FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics SP 263 OP 270 VO 40 IS 2 A1 D M Lovinger A1 G White YR 1991 UL http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/40/2/263.abstract AB Recent studies indicate that ethanol (EtOH) potentiates ion current through the channel associated with the 5-hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT3)-type serotonin receptor. The present study was designed to determine 1) whether such potentiation occurs in adult mammalian neurons expressing 5-HT3 receptors; 2) whether potentiation is selective for the 5-HT3 receptor, relative to other ligand-gated ion channels; and 3) possible mechanisms by which EtOH potentiates this response. EtOH potentiated 5-HT3 receptor-mediated ion current in freshly isolated nodose ganglion neurons at concentrations similar to those previously reported to be effective in neuroblastoma cells (25-100 mM). Current was blocked by the selective 5-HT3 antagonist ICS 205-930 even in the presence of EtOH, and current activated by a 5-HT3 agonist (2-methyl-5-HT) was potentiated by EtOH. Thus, EtOH appears to produce potentiation via an alteration in the function of 5-HT3 receptors and not through an independent effect. gamma-Aminobutyric acidA receptor-mediated Cl- current was not potentiated by EtOH in neurons in which potentiation of responses to 5-HT was observed. Methanol potentiated 5-HT3 receptor-mediated current with a potency lower than that of EtOH. Potentiation by EtOH decreased with increasing 5-HT concentration. In addition, EtOH increased the decay rate of current. EtOH did not alter the reversal potential of the 5-HT3 receptor-mediated current. These observations indicate that intoxicating concentrations of EtOH selectively potentiate 5-HT3 receptor-mediated responses by increasing the apparent potency of 5-HT for activating ion current.