A G Protein Couples Serotonin and GABA B Receptors to the Same Channels in Hippocampus

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Abstract
Both serotonin and the selective γ-aminobutyric acid B (GABA B ) agonist, baclofen, increase potassium (K + ) conductance in hippocampal pyramidal cells. Although these agonists act on separate receptors, the potassium currents evoked by the agonists are not additive, indicating that the two receptors share the same potassium channels. Experiments with hydrolysis-resistant guanosine triphosphate (GTP) and guanosine diphosphate analogs and pertussis toxin indicate that the opening of the potassium channels by serotonin and GABA B receptors involves a pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding (G) protein, which may directly couple the two receptors to the potassium channel.