Effects of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) on amphibian neuromuscular junction

A study of the effects of serotonin transmission was carried out on the frog neuromuscular junction by means of microelectrode methods. Serotonin was employed in concentrations of 5-100 microM. Serotonin did not affect membrane characteristics or the resting potential whether at non-neuronal (muscular fiber) or endplate segments of the junction. While serotonin did not affect the frequency of the miniature endplate potentials (MEPPs), it significantly decreased evoked release of acetylcholine. Serotonin significantly decreased, in a dose-dependent fashion, the amplitude of acetylcholine potentials, endplate currents (EPCs), endplate potentials (EPPs) and MEPPs. Also, serotonin shortened significantly the EPC time course and half-decay time, and caused loss of membrane voltage sensitivity of the half-decay time. While it did not affect the null potential, serotonin changed the voltage-EPC relationship from linear to non-linear, and markedly attenuated the dependence of EPC amplitude on membrane potential. These results demonstrate that serotonin induces depressant effects at both pre- and post-synaptic sites of amphibian neuromuscular junction and that its post-synaptic action is directed at the receptor-channel macromolecule rather than at either the channel or the receptor alone.