Serotonin is biosynthesised from the amino acid, tryptophan. It is the precursor compound to the sleep-modulating hormone, melatonin. It binds to, activates and serves as the endogenous ligand for the 5-HT family of receptors which includes:
The 5-HT1 family:
- 5-HT1A
- 5-HT1B
- 5-HT1D
- 5-HT1E
- 5-HT1F
The 5-HT2 family:
- 5-HT2A
- 5-HT2B
- 5-HT2C
- 5-HT3
- 5-HT4
- 5-HT5A
- 5-HT5B
- 5-HT6
- 5-HT7
It plays a key role in mood regulation, sleep, anxiety, cognition and sensory perception.
Figure 1: Serotonin [Source: Chemspider]
