| Structural highlights
Function
5HT2A_HUMAN G-protein coupled receptor for 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) (PubMed:1330647, PubMed:18703043, PubMed:19057895). Also functions as a receptor for various drugs and psychoactive substances, including mescaline, psilocybin, 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI) and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) (PubMed:28129538). Ligand binding causes a conformation change that triggers signaling via guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) and modulates the activity of down-stream effectors (PubMed:28129538). Beta-arrestin family members inhibit signaling via G proteins and mediate activation of alternative signaling pathways (PubMed:28129538). Signaling activates phospholipase C and a phosphatidylinositol-calcium second messenger system that modulates the activity of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and promotes the release of Ca(2+) ions from intracellular stores (PubMed:18703043, PubMed:28129538). Affects neural activity, perception, cognition and mood (PubMed:18297054). Plays a role in the regulation of behavior, including responses to anxiogenic situations and psychoactive substances. Plays a role in intestinal smooth muscle contraction, and may play a role in arterial vasoconstriction.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] (Microbial infection) Acts as a receptor for human JC polyomavirus/JCPyV.[8]
Publication Abstract from PubMed
There is currently a resurgence in exploring the utility of classical psychedelics to treat depression, addiction, anxiety disorders, cluster headaches, and many other neuropsychiatric disorders. A biological target of these compounds, and a hypothesized target for their therapeutic actions, is the 5-HT(2A) serotonin receptor. Here, we present 7 cryo-EM structures covering all major compound classes of psychedelic and non-psychedelic agonists, including a beta-arrestin-biased compound RS130-180. Identifying the molecular interactions between various psychedelics and the 5-HT(2A) receptor reveals both common and distinct motifs among the examined psychedelic chemotypes. These findings lead to a broader mechanistic understanding of 5-HT(2A) activation, which can catalyze the development of novel chemotypes with potential therapeutic utility and fewer side effects.
The structural diversity of psychedelic drug actions revealed.,Gumpper RH, Jain MK, Kim K, Sun R, Sun N, Xu Z, DiBerto JF, Krumm BE, Kapolka NJ, Kaniskan HU, Nichols DE, Jin J, Fay JF, Roth BL Nat Commun. 2025 Mar 19;16(1):2734. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-57956-7. PMID:40108183[9]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
References
- ↑ Stam NJ, Van Huizen F, Van Alebeek C, Brands J, Dijkema R, Tonnaer JA, Olijve W. Genomic organization, coding sequence and functional expression of human 5-HT2 and 5-HT1A receptor genes. Eur J Pharmacol. 1992 Oct 1;227(2):153-62. PMID:1330647
- ↑ Gonzalez-Maeso J, Ang RL, Yuen T, Chan P, Weisstaub NV, Lopez-Gimenez JF, Zhou M, Okawa Y, Callado LF, Milligan G, Gingrich JA, Filizola M, Meana JJ, Sealfon SC. Identification of a serotonin/glutamate receptor complex implicated in psychosis. Nature. 2008 Mar 6;452(7183):93-7. doi: 10.1038/nature06612. Epub 2008 Feb 24. PMID:18297054 doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature06612
- ↑ Cussac D, Boutet-Robinet E, Ailhaud MC, Newman-Tancredi A, Martel JC, Danty N, Rauly-Lestienne I. Agonist-directed trafficking of signalling at serotonin 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B and 5-HT2C-VSV receptors mediated Gq/11 activation and calcium mobilisation in CHO cells. Eur J Pharmacol. 2008 Oct 10;594(1-3):32-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2008.07.040., Epub 2008 Jul 30. PMID:18703043 doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2008.07.040
- ↑ Knauer CS, Campbell JE, Chio CL, Fitzgerald LW. Pharmacological characterization of mitogen-activated protein kinase activation by recombinant human 5-HT2C, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT2B receptors. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2009 May;379(5):461-71. doi:, 10.1007/s00210-008-0378-4. Epub 2008 Dec 5. PMID:19057895 doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00210-008-0378-4
- ↑ Albizu L, Holloway T, Gonzalez-Maeso J, Sealfon SC. Functional crosstalk and heteromerization of serotonin 5-HT2A and dopamine D2 receptors. Neuropharmacology. 2011 Sep;61(4):770-7. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.05.023., Epub 2011 May 27. PMID:21645528 doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.05.023
- ↑ Delille HK, Becker JM, Burkhardt S, Bleher B, Terstappen GC, Schmidt M, Meyer AH, Unger L, Marek GJ, Mezler M. Heterocomplex formation of 5-HT2A-mGlu2 and its relevance for cellular signaling cascades. Neuropharmacology. 2012 Jun;62(7):2184-91. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.01.010., Epub 2012 Jan 25. PMID:22300836 doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.01.010
- ↑ Wacker D, Wang S, McCorvy JD, Betz RM, Venkatakrishnan AJ, Levit A, Lansu K, Schools ZL, Che T, Nichols DE, Shoichet BK, Dror RO, Roth BL. Crystal Structure of an LSD-Bound Human Serotonin Receptor. Cell. 2017 Jan 26;168(3):377-389.e12. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.12.033. PMID:28129538 doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2016.12.033
- ↑ Assetta B, Maginnis MS, Gracia Ahufinger I, Haley SA, Gee GV, Nelson CD, O'Hara BA, Allen Ramdial SA, Atwood WJ. 5-HT2 receptors facilitate JC polyomavirus entry. J Virol. 2013 Dec;87(24):13490-8. doi: 10.1128/JVI.02252-13. Epub 2013 Oct 2. PMID:24089568 doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JVI.02252-13
- ↑ Gumpper RH, Jain MK, Kim K, Sun R, Sun N, Xu Z, DiBerto JF, Krumm BE, Kapolka NJ, Kaniskan HÜ, Nichols DE, Jin J, Fay JF, Roth BL. The structural diversity of psychedelic drug actions revealed. Nat Commun. 2025 Mar 19;16(1):2734. PMID:40108183 doi:10.1038/s41467-025-57956-7
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