Unusual reactivity of ß-hydroxy-serotonin, a forgotten serotonin derivative.

Serotonin (5-HT) is a well-known biogenic amine which regulates mood, sleep, and is involved in muscle contraction and blood coagulation. Based on an analogy to norepinephrine, a ß-hydroxylated derivative of dopamine which has diverse physiological functions, beta-hydroxy-serotonin (ß-OH-5-HT) originally encouraged interest as a potential pharmacological agent. Four decades ago, its organic synthesis was attempted. However, due to difficulties with the synthesis and the compound's instability, rigorous identification and characterization of ß-OH-5-HT proved evasive. Here, we successfully synthesized ß-OH-5-HT from 5-HT using a Pseudomonas enzyme, tryptophan side chain oxidase type I (TSOI), and we determined the structure by 2D-NMR and characterized ß-OH-5-HT in detail. The CD spectra showed no optical activity, suggesting a racemic mixture. To separate DL-ß-OH-5-HT, we synthesized L-Ala-5-HT and derivatized it into erythro- and threo-L-Ala-ß-OH-5-HT with TSOI. Interestingly, both isolated fractions returned to a diastereoisomeric mixture within two hours at pH 5.0. Later, we found that, under acidic conditions, ß-OH-5-HT readily reacted with nucleophiles like alcohols or thiols, yielding a variety of DL-ß-substituted-5-HT. The unusual properties of ß-OH-5-HT might be attributed to the unique nature of a ß-hydroxyl group adjacent to an indole ring and amino group. The mechanism for the rapid racemization of ß-OH-5-HT is discussed.

Novel biochemical manipulation of brain serotonin reveals a role of serotonin in the circadian rhythm of sleep-wake cycles.

Serotonin (5-HT) neurons have been implicated in the modulation of many physiological functions, including mood regulation, feeding, and sleep. Impaired or altered 5-HT neurotransmission appears to be involved in depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as in sleep disorders. To investigate brain 5-HT functions in sleep, we induced 5-HT deficiency through acute tryptophan depletion in rats by intraperitoneally injecting a tryptophan-degrading enzyme called tryptophan side chain oxidase I (TSOI). After the administration of TSOI (20 units), plasma tryptophan levels selectively decreased to 1-2% of those of controls within 2 h, remained under 1% for 12-24 h, and then recovered between 72 and 96 h. Following plasma tryptophan levels, brain 5-HT levels decreased to ∼30% of the control level after 6 h, remained at this low level for 20-30 h, and returned to normal after 72 h. In contrast, brain norepinephreine and dopamine levels remained unchanged. After TSOI injection, the circadian rhythms of the sleep-wake cycle and locomotive activity were lost and broken into minute(s) ultradian alternations. The hourly slow-wave sleep (SWS) time significantly increased at night, but decreased during the day, whereas rapid eye movement sleep was significantly reduced during the day. However, daily total (cumulative) SWS time was retained at the normal level. As brain 5-HT levels gradually recovered 48 h after TSOI injection, the circadian rhythms of sleep-wake cycles and locomotive activity returned to normal. Our results suggest that 5-HT with a rapid turnover rate plays an important role in the circadian rhythm of sleep-wake cycles.

Enzymatic depletion of serotonin in vivo and its consequences.

The serotonin (5-HT) system in the brain is a global modulator thought to tune up a unique subset of brain keynotes such as emotion, motivation, and sleep/conscious states in the deepest seats of cognition and behavior. In pursuit for coherent accounts of such higher-order issues, we have been trying to deduce the system dynamics of 5-HT in full span from the perturbation-response couples elicited by our most quick, specific, extensive, and reversible depletion of the brain 5-HT so far available via plasma precursor annihilation by injection of a tryptophan degrading enzyme (TSO) (ISTRY meetings-1986 in Cardiff, -92 in Nagoya and -98 in Hamburg). Herein discussed are the dynamics of the 5-HT depletion both in the whole brain and regional dimensions, and then the perturbation-induced manifestation of a continuous behavioral quiescence underlain by chaotic patterns of sleep/waking states. This response in sharp contrast to those by earlier serotonin depletors, prompts us to consider a serious revision of the current 5-HT scenario. In the light of our research, future directions will be discussed together with the RTD (rapid tryptophan depletion) claiming the impaired brain 5-HT turnover by a partial decline of plasma tryptophan.