Deletion of the 5-HT(3A)-receptor subunit blunts the induction of cocaine sensitization

Serotonin (5-HT) receptors are classified into seven groups (5-HT_1–7), comprising at least 14 structurally and pharmacologically distinct receptor subtypes. Pharmacological antagonism of ionotropic 5-HT₃ receptors has been shown to modulate both behavioral and neurochemical aspects of the induction of sensitization to cocaine. It is not known, however, if specific molecular subunits of the 5-HT₃ receptor influence the development of cocaine sensitization. To address this question, we studied the effects of acute and chronic intermittent cocaine administration in mice with a targeted deletion of the gene for the 5-HT_3A-receptor subunit (5-HT_3A?/?). 5-HT_3A (?/?) mice showed blunted induction of cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization as compared with wild-type littermate controls. 5-HT_3A (?/?) mice did not differ from wild-type littermate controls on measures of basal motor activity or response to acute cocaine treatment. Enhanced locomotor response to saline injection following cocaine sensitization was observed equally in 5-HT_3A (?/?) and wild-type mice suggesting similar conditioned effects associated with chronic cocaine treatment. These data show a role for the 5-HT_3A-receptor subunit in the induction of behavioral sensitization to cocaine and suggest that the 5-HT_3A molecular subunit modulates neurobehavioral adaptations to cocaine, which may underlie aspects of addiction.