Dissecting the roles of β-arrestin2 and GSK-3 signaling in 5-HT1BR-mediated perseverative behavior and prepulse inhibition deficits in mice

PLoS One. 2019 Feb 5;14(2):e0211239. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211239. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Serotonin-1B receptors (5-HT1BRs) modulate perseverative behaviors and prepulse inhibition (PPI) in humans and mice. These inhibitory G-protein-coupled receptors signal through a canonical G-protein-coupled pathway that is modulated by GSK-3β, and a noncanonical pathway mediated by the adaptor protein β-arrestin2 (Arrb2). Given the development of biased ligands that differentially affect canonical versus noncanonical signaling, we examined which signaling pathway mediates 5-HT1BR agonist-induced locomotor perseveration and PPI deficits, behavioral phenotypes observed in both obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To assess the role of canonical 5-HT1BR signaling, mice received acute pretreatment with a GSK-3 inhibitor (SB216763 or AR-A014418) and acute treatment with the 5-HT1A/1B receptor agonist RU24969 prior to assessing perseverative locomotor behavior in the open field, and PPI. To determine the role of noncanonical 5-HT1BR signaling, Arrb2 wild-type (WT), heterozygous (HT), and knockout (KO) mice received acute RU24969 treatment prior to behavioral testing. GSK-3 inhibition increased locomotor perseveration overall, and also failed to influence the RU24969-induced perseverative locomotor pattern in the open field. Yet, GSK-3 inhibition modestly reduced RU24969-induced PPI deficits. On the other hand, Arrb2 HT and KO mice showed reduced locomotion and no changes in perseveration overall, in addition to modest reductions in RU24969-induced locomotion and PPI deficits. In conclusion, our data do not support use of either GSK-3 inhibitors or β-arrestin2 inhibition in treatment of perseverative behaviors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / metabolism*
  • Indoles / pharmacology
  • Locomotion* / drug effects
  • Maleimides / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Prepulse Inhibition* / drug effects
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B / metabolism*
  • Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Agonists / pharmacology
  • Signal Transduction* / drug effects
  • beta-Arrestin 2 / genetics
  • beta-Arrestin 2 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Indoles
  • Maleimides
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B
  • SB 216763
  • Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Agonists
  • beta-Arrestin 2
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3