RS-102,221
Encyclopedia
RS-102,221 is a drug developed by Hoffmann–La Roche, which was one of the first compounds discovered that acts as a potent and selective antagonist at the serotonin
5-HT2C
receptor
, with around 100x selectivity over the closely related 5-HT2A
and 5-HT2B
receptors. It has anxiolytic
effects in animal studies, increases the effectiveness of SSRI antidepressants, and shows a complex interaction with cocaine
, increasing some effects but decreasing others, reflecting a role for the 5-HT2C receptor in regulation of the dopamine
signalling system in the brain.
Serotonin
Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine is a monoamine neurotransmitter. Biochemically derived from tryptophan, serotonin is primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract, platelets, and in the central nervous system of animals including humans...
5-HT2C
5-HT2C receptor
The 5-HT2C receptor is a subtype of 5-HT receptor that binds the endogenous neurotransmitter serotonin . It is a G protein-coupled receptor that is coupled to Gq/G11 and mediates excitatory neurotransmission. HTR2C denotes the human gene encoding for the receptor, that in humans is located at the...
receptor
Receptor (biochemistry)
In biochemistry, a receptor is a molecule found on the surface of a cell, which receives specific chemical signals from neighbouring cells or the wider environment within an organism...
, with around 100x selectivity over the closely related 5-HT2A
5-HT2A receptor
The mammalian 5-HT2A receptor is a subtype of the 5-HT2 receptor that belongs to the serotonin receptor family and is a G protein-coupled receptor . This is the main excitatory receptor subtype among the GPCRs for serotonin , although 5-HT2A may also have an inhibitory effect on certain areas such...
and 5-HT2B
5-HT2B receptor
5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2B, also known as HTR2B, is a 5-HT2 receptor, but also denotes the human gene encoding it.-Function:...
receptors. It has anxiolytic
Anxiolytic
An anxiolytic is a drug used for the treatment of anxiety, and its related psychological and physical symptoms...
effects in animal studies, increases the effectiveness of SSRI antidepressants, and shows a complex interaction with cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
, increasing some effects but decreasing others, reflecting a role for the 5-HT2C receptor in regulation of the dopamine
Dopamine
Dopamine is a catecholamine neurotransmitter present in a wide variety of animals, including both vertebrates and invertebrates. In the brain, this substituted phenethylamine functions as a neurotransmitter, activating the five known types of dopamine receptors—D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5—and their...
signalling system in the brain.