I am trying to transfect TrkB in HEK293T cells and check (by immunocytochemistry) whether it is getting activated (phosphorylated) by a given compound. I am growing the HEK293T cells in DMEM complete media which contains serotonin. I am aware that serotonin is not a TrkB agonist but I am wondering whether it can somehow desensitize TrkB.
(indirect) interactions between 5-HT and TrkB in cellular systems might be possible, see PMID 25426041, but one has to take time and concentrations into consideration to explain observations which you might have made.
In the above mentioned paper the increase of TrkB level and phosphorylation is rather minor, in the presented WBs usually about or below 1.5-fold. This would mean activation instead of desensitization, additionally, serotonin would desensitize its own GPCR quite fast. On the other hand, a robust Ca2+ signal elicited by serotonin might activate CaMK, which potentially could desensitize TrkB. This is rather hypothetical and would require 5HT2 or 5HT1 receptors. Altogether, TrkB desensitization by serotonin is unlikely.
Karoly, I agree with you,
Atreyi, it might be helpful if you describe your observations/results more detailed
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